Santa Clarita, Calif. – The Mt. San Antonio College Men's Basketball team claimed the title at the Cougar Holiday Classic, defeating LA Trade Tech 79-77 on Friday, December 27, and the host College of the Canyons 91-75 on Saturday, December 28. The Mounties' victory improves their record to 13-1, and they finished the month of December undefeated with seven straight wins.
Friday's game was a thrilling contest that went down to the wire. With seconds remaining, Mt. SAC held a slim lead, thanks to crucial free throws from Immanuel Taylor and Jimmy Baker, sealing a two-point victory. The game was a back-and-forth battle, with multiple lead changes throughout. Mt. SAC started strong, but LA Trade Tech took a one-point lead into halftime, 44-43.
Jaidyn Simpson led the Mounties with a game-high 25 points, shooting 10-of-12 from the free-throw line, and grabbing 10 rebounds. Jon McCullough also had a standout performance, contributing 14 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 steals. Taylor added 15 points, while Kenneth Brown chipped in with 11. LA Trade Tech's Travin Thompson led his team with 12 points and 9 rebounds. The Beavers had a solid bench, with Jerome Smith and Damani Lewis each scoring 11 points, and Jonathan Fields adding 10 points and 5 rebounds.
A key turning point in the game came from the Beavers' 28 personal fouls, which gave Mt. SAC 37 free-throw attempts. The Mounties capitalized, sinking 25 of them. However, Mt. SAC's 18 turnovers led to 19 points for LA Trade Tech, keeping the game close throughout.
Saturday's game saw Mt. SAC take control early, never trailing after a layup by Joel Gado gave the Mounties a 13-11 lead at 12:14. Simpson once again led the way with 20 points, going 9-for-14 from the field, and making a significant defensive impact with 6 rebounds and 4 steals. However, College of the Canyons' Justin Perez and Raz Orbach weren't far behind, with each of them racking up 19 points.
Mt. SAC scored a total of 70 points in the paint, while College of the Canyons managed just 36. The Mounties also capitalized on 20 Cougar turnovers, converting them into 30 points, compared to just 14 points off of 11 Mt. SAC turnovers.
Simpson was named Tournament MVP for his outstanding performance throughout the weekend, while McCullough earned All-Tournament honors. The victories showcased the Mounties' depth and skill as a team.
The Mounties will return to action in the new year with their first game on Friday, January 3, at El Camino College (4-10). Their next home game will be on Wednesday, January 8, against Compton College (7-5) at 7:00 PM. Come out and support the team as they look to extend their winning streak!
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For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.