Warriors Hold Off Long Beach for First Conference Win

TORRANCE, Calif. --- El Camino College held on to a 75-72 South Coast Conference win over visiting Long Beach on Friday night at the ECC Gym Complex.

The Warriors (12-8, 1-1) led by as many as 18 points but the Vikings (12-8, 0-2) used a strong second half to storm back and even take a five-point lead late in the second half.

But the Warriors dug in and outscored the Vikings 11-3 in the final 3:48 to score the victory.

Gabe Hubbard led the way with 22 points and seven rebounds with six assists while Billy Ray Barnes III added 17 points and six boards.

Dwayne Moore added 14 points and eight rebounds in 25 minutes off the bench and Alexis Maria had 12 points on 4-for-7 shooting from 3-point range.

For the Vikings, Shane Hunter led the way with 20 points and eight rebounds.

The Warriors dominated the first half as they led by 18 points with 4:59 left in the period and were up by 10 at the break. They shot 46.2 percent from the field in the first half while the Vikings struggled from the field, hitting just nine shots in 36 attempts (25 percent).

In the second half, the Vikings corrected their issues and shot the lights out, going 17-for-29 from the field (58.6 percent) but the Warriors were able to keep pace as they shot 57.7 percent from the field.

The final 90 seconds were tight as Bonard Johnson Jr. hit a 3-pointer to pull the Vikings within one point at 73-72 with 1:09 left.

Hubbard was fouled with 44 seconds left and hit one of two free throws to put the Warriors up two.

The Vikings then turned the ball over with 26 seconds left as Elliot Kerley stole the ball and called timeout with 25 seconds left in regulation, seemingly putting the Warriors in control.

But the Vikings defense forced a five-second violation on the ensuing inbounds play, giving themselves another shot at tying the game or taking the lead.

Johnson Jr. missed a 3-pointer but Hunter stormed in for the rebound and was fouled, sending him to the line for two shots for a chance to tie the game.

But he missed both attempts to keep ECC in front. Kerley would then go to the line and hit one of two to put ECC up by three, giving the Vikings one final chance at extending the game.

But Lorenzo Marsh missed his 3-pointer with two seconds left and Moore secured the defensive board and the victory for the Warriors.

The Warriors will return to conference action on Wednesday to face Compton for a 7 p.m. tipoff.