The San Diego City College men’s basketball team lost to No. 3 Fullerton College, 61-58, in a back-and-forth battle that saw the Hornets come out on top at Harry West Gym on Nov. 30.
City entered play ranked No. 7 in the state with a five-game winning streak, which included three wins in three days at the Home Motors Tournament against Barstow, San Jose, and Allan Handcock colleges, respectively.
But no matter how much momentum the Knights came in with, Fullerton’s leading scorer and tallest player, 6-foot-10 Joe Grahovac, proved to be too much in the contest.
Grahovac was one of three Hornets players to score in double-figures, tallying 16 points.
With four minutes remaining in the second half, the Knights’ best answer to Grahovac – 6-foot-8 freshman center Marley Gonzalez – was taken out by Charlens after he was hit in the head.
Gonzalez had 10 points and three rebounds before he exited.
Gonzalez’s absence was consequential for City, as Fullerton’s Grahovac powered his way toward the hoop for an easy layup with 21 seconds remaining, giving Fullerton a 61-58 lead, proving to be the final score.
“(Grahovac) wasn’t moving Marley,” Charlens said. “Then, when Marley wasn’t in the game, he got comfortable in the paint there at the end for that last shot.”
The Knights had one last chance down three, but tough defense from Fullerton forced a last-second 30-foot heave from Brandon Bento-Jackson that hit the top of the backboard and ended the game.
Bento-Jackson was the Knights’ leading scorer and rebounder with 12 and 6, respectively.
Grahovac and Jaquari Miles led the Hornets with 16 points apiece, and Addy G’Bye added 14 points, which included four 3-pointers.
Despite the loss, the Knights (5-2) fought hard to the final seconds, garnering praise from Fullerton head coach Perry Webster.
“I have just the utmost respect for San Diego City and Mitch (Charlens),” Webster said. “We play this game because it’s a great test for us to see where we’re at.”
Undeterred by the loss, Knights sophomore guard Kenny Gonzalez remained level-headed when looking toward the rest of the season.
“It’s early, very early,” Gonzalez said. “We lost to the good teams early last year, too. So guys will stay confident and come back to work on Monday. We’ll get the next one.”
City College will be back in action Friday, Dec. 6, at 4 p.m. against LA Trade Tech in the Grossmont College Tournament at Grossmont College.
The Knights’ next home game at Harry West Gym will be Friday, Dec. 20, at 5 p.m. against San Diego Mesa College.
