Ibarra's 30 Points Not Enough As Compton Men's Cagers Fall In OT In SCC South Opener
Sophomore guard Nathan Ibarra did everything he could to get the Compton College men's basketball team to overtime on Wednesday night, but in the end his career-high 30 points couldn't get the host Coyotes over the hump in an 83-79 OT loss against El Camino in the South Coast Conference South Division opener for both teams.
Ibarra was a perfect 14-for-14 from the free throw line, including a pair that sent the game into an extra period at 70-70 with 19 seconds left in regulation. In the 5-minute OT, Ibarra hit a jumper that gave Compton a 77-76 lead before El Camino's Linken Tate hit back-to-back layups to regain the advantage for the Warriors. Ibarra's layup cut it to 80-79 in the final minute but ECC responded on a 3-pointer by Rocco Gaffoglio that put the game away with eight seconds left.
Compton (8-11 overall) trailed 45-27 by halftime, then rallied from a 50-33 deficit to make it a tight game.
Ibarra added nine rebounds and four assists to his scoring binge while Keyshawn Ross Jr. nearly had a 100 percent night from the field, making 8-of-9 shots as part of his 17 points. Roberts contributed plus six rebounds and David Ibarra collected eight points and four assists off the bench.
As a team, the Coyotes were an unconscious 22-for-23 from the charity stripe.
El Camino made 11 baskets from 3-point distance, four each by Gaffoglio and Kai Johnson, who each scored 21 points. Compton made just three treys, two by Nathan Ibarra.
On Jan. 14, the Coyotes lost at LA Trade-Tech, 64-61, as Elijah Evans led the squad on 17 points and nine rebounds. Ross Jr. added 11 points and 12 boards.
In an 89-78 home triumph on Jan. 9 v. Rio Hondo, Ley McGovern poured in 31 points with 13 rebounds and four steals, all off the Coyotes' bench and Ross. Jr. performed another double-double on 17 points and 10 rebounds. Israel Nansha added 11 points and grabbed eight boards while Nathan Ibarra dropped in 14 points.
On Jan. 7, host Compton put a scare into state #9 Mt. San Antonio but lost in overtime, 94-89. Compton led 39-34 at the half, and the teams were tied at 84-84 at the end of 40 minutes. Evans made two free throws that cut it to 88-87 but Mt. SAC used two dunks to put the game out of reach.
Things don't get easier for the Coyotes on Friday, Jan. 23 when they face visiting state #6 Cerritos (15-4) in a 5 p.m. division matchup. However, the Falcons opened SCC South play in losing at LA Southwest, 71-66.