Emmanuel Torres scored 22 points and Cordell Young added 19 as Eastridge won its fifth straight game with a 78-76 victory over Athena. The Lancers took the lead early in the first quarter and never relinquished it although Athena stayed close throughout, four times tying the game, including late in the fourth at 71.
Young had 11 of his 19 points in the first quarter, many in transition, as Eastridge held a two-point lead at quarter’s end. The Lancers extended the lead to six at the half. Torres scored eight in the second.
Athena came back to twice tie the game in the third but Eastridge went on a 12-0 run to end the third for its largest lead of the night. Athena clawed back to tie the game at 71 late in the fourth, but Emmanuel Leftenant finished an and-one to give the Lancers a lead they did not surrender.
Leftenant scored 15 of his 17 points after halftime.
Athena rallied three times to make it a one-possession game.
Jahon Jones hit two free throws to pull the Trojans within one, but Caquan Wester answered with a putback for the Lancers as part of his 19-point night. Khorie Reaves hit a free throw to pull the Trojans within two. This time Leftenant slashed through the defense to extend the Lancer lead to four. James Reaves, Jr. scored with four seconds left to get Athena within two. The Trojans were able to get a steal at mid-court with less than three seconds left, but were unable to get a shot off before the buzzer.
James Reaves, Jr. led the Trojans with 24 points while Khorie Reaves had 14. Frankie Oropeza scored 11 and Izaiah Stewart had 13 before fouling out with 4:42 left in the game. Jones finished with eight points, eight rebounds and eight assists for the Trojans. Terrell Wilson scored six points. Athena (9-6) plays at Sutherland on Friday. A 7 PM tip-off is scheduled.
Eastridge (14-1) travels to play at Arcadia on Friday. A 7:15 start is scheduled.
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