Second-Half Miscues Prove Costly for Men’s Basketball against L.A. Trade Tech

TORRANCE, Calif. – El Camino College flirted with an upset bid against No. 15 L.A. Trade Tech but fell short with a 85-79 non-conference loss Friday night at the ECC North Gym.

The Warriors (4-14) took a 19-point lead into the locker room after a blistering first half that saw the team shoot it at a 64.3 percent clip from both the field and beyond the arc. Jamal Bogan scored 14 of his 25 points in the opening 20 minutes for ECC and the Warriors scored 23 points off 14 Beavers (14-3) turnovers.

Justin Chambers scored 15 points in the first half but went down early in the second half with an undisclosed ailment and did not return. It proved crucial as the Beavers ramped up the pressure in the second half and forced 19 of the Warriors' 32 turnovers in the final 20 minutes. At the break, the Warriors were outscoring the Beavers 23-6 in points off turnovers. At the end of the game, the Beavers finished with 36 points off 32 Warriors turnovers while ECC finished with 25 points off 21 L.A. Trade Tech turnovers.

Erickson Gonzalez-De Leon led the Beavers with 25 points before fouling out in the second half and Mark Chin added 23 points with seven rebounds.

On the Warriors side, Justin Reyes scored 21 points and the team dished out 20 assists on 25 makes.

The Warriors will open up South Coast Conference, South Division action on Wednesday night against L.A. Harbor. Tipoff is set for 5 p.m.