Chaffey Overpowers Men's Basketball

The Pasadena City College men's basketball team ran into a buzz saw Wednesday in the Chaffey guard duo of Kameron Curl and Brian Beard Jr. Beard was a wizard on the passing end while Curl's hot touch from long range resulted in him making nine 3-point baskets as the state No. 17-ranked Panthers defeated the Lancers, 100-75, in a South Coast Conference North Division game at Hutto-Patterson Gymnasium.

PCC lost its sixth straight and gave up triple digits for the third time this season in falling to 5-15 and 0-3 in SCC play. Led by Curl's 31 points and a 15-point, 11-assist performance by Beard, Chaffey is 17-6 and are in a tie for first in the North at 3-0.

Pasadena was paced by forward McKay Anderson, who scored 23 points, including sinking three 3-pointers, while adding five assists and five rebounds. Guard Eris Winder was strong with 14 points, six rebounds, four assists and four steals before he fouled out with more than nine minutes left.

The Lancers led 7-0 but Chaffey would pull ahead 45-33 at halftime as Curl knocked down a corner 3 just before the buzzer. PCC stayed with 10 at different points but Curl matched Lancers 2-point baskets with bombs.  Back-to-back treys by Curl made it 68-52 with 11:34 left. 

For PCC, Will Johnson tallied 10 points and six boards and reserve center Augustine Tadale picked up seven points as did backup guard Jacob Lomeli. Jett Even, a two-year football letterman just added to the team this week, contributed six points. The Oregon native might have had received the biggest cheer of the night when he showed some quarterback precision on a 3-point basket in garbage time. Todd Kitigawa had four points as well off the bench.

On Jan. 20, Anderson scored 17 points and Winder had 15 in an 82-66 road loss to state No. 14-ranked Mt. San Antonio. 

Pasadena will visit Rio Hondo on Friday, Jan. 27 in a 5 p.m. conference tip-off.