Whittier, Calif. – The Mt. SAC Men's Basketball Team delivered another dominant performance on Wednesday, January 22, defeating Rio Hondo 90-75 in South Coast Conference play. With this victory, the Mounties improve to 17-1, solidifying their position at the top of the conference standings. Rio Hondo, meanwhile, falls to 1-18 and remains at the bottom of the leaderboard. Mt. SAC also climbed to No. 3 in the state rankings, trailing only San Francisco and Las Positas.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

The Mounties wasted no time taking control of the game. Jon McCullough opened the scoring with a quick layup, setting the tone for Mt. SAC to maintain the lead throughout the contest. Behind strong performances from McCullough and Simpson, who each scored nine points in the first half, and Kenneth Brown, who pulled down seven rebounds, the Mounties established a 40-27 lead at halftime.

Despite Jordan Peterson's impressive 12-point first-half effort for Rio Hondo, including two three-pointers and a perfect 4-for-4 from the free-throw line, the Roadrunners couldn't close the gap against a resilient Mt. SAC team.

The second half saw both teams step up their intensity. Rio Hondo's Fidel Cabrera led the charge with 14 points, including two three-pointers, while Kenny Hunt and Peterson added 12 points each. However, the Mounties proved too strong. Simpson added another 12 points and grabbed five rebounds in the second half, while Wheeler contributed 10 points. McCullough and Immanuel Taylor each added eight points, with Taylor dishing out six assists.

Defensive efforts from Marvel Chambers and Brown played a crucial role, as the duo combined for 13 rebounds in the second half to secure the win for Mt. SAC.

BY THE NUMBERS:

• Jaidyn Simpson (Mt. SAC): Team-high 21 points, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks
• Jon McCullough (Mt. SAC): 17 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists
• Ryan Wheeler (Mt. SAC): 17 points, 5 rebounds
• Marvel Chambers (Mt. SAC): 9 points, 16 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals
• Jordan Peterson (Rio Hondo): Game-high 24 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal
• Fidel Cabrera (Rio Hondo): 17 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists
• Christian Viramontes (Rio Hondo): 6 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 steal, 1 block

TEAM STATS:

• Shooting: Mt. SAC – 45.3% (34-75); Rio Hondo – 36.8% (28-76)
• Three-Point Shooting: Mt. SAC –23.8% (5-21); Rio Hondo – 25.0% (6-24)
• Free Throw Shooting: Mt. SAC –63.0% (17-27); Rio Hondo – 81.3% (13-16)
• Rebounds: Mt SAC – 59; Rio Hondo – 36
• Turnovers: Mt. SAC – 15; Rio Hondo – 12

UP NEXT:

Come support the Mounties as they host Pasadena City College (11-7) on Friday, January 24, at 7:00 PM.

STAY CONNECTED:

Follow Mt. SAC Men's Basketball on twitter @MtSAC_MBKB or Instagram /mt.sacbasketball/

Follow Mt. SAC Athletics on twitter @MtSAC_athletics Instagram /mtsac_athletics/ or Facebook @Mountie.Athletics

For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.