Matadors pressure Patriots to take win

By Ramon Scott
Updated: January 21, 2018

Mount Miguel's C.J. JACKSON goes up strong against Christian on Saturday night. / photo by David Dickens

2018 EAST COUNTY PREP BOYS BASKETBALL

EastCountySports.com staff report

SPRING VALLEY – After trailing most of the game, the Mount Miguel Matadors went 9-for-9 from the free throw line in the fourth quarter and outscored the Christian Patriots, 20-9, over the final eight minutes to take a 70-63 non-league victory, extending their season-long home win streak to 11 games on Saturday night.

JAMES ALLEN and DERON TRAYLOR both went 4-for-4 from the line and Traylor added his third third-pointer of the contest in the fourth to finish with a team-high 16 points.

Christian and Mount Miguel in action on Saturday night.

Allen and MARQUIS EDWARDS both added 14 points for the Matadors, while C.J. JACKSON contributed 10 points.

Mount Miguel (17-4) trailed 20-15 after one quarter as seven different Patriots registered in the scorebook.

Christian led 36-34 at halftime behind 12 points from NASHOM CARTER, who made a three-pointer in each of the first two periods.

The Patriots led 54-50 heading into the fourth quarter, but that’s when the Mount Miguel defense stiffened.

“We went small in the second half so we could pressure them a little bit more,” said Mount Miguel coach JAY ROWLETT. “I am so proud of the team, especially the unselfishness of C. J. Jackson.”

Carter finished with a team-high 17 points for the Patriots, while JORDAN GAINES and CHRISTIAN WEST both finished with 10 points for Christian (11-8).

The Matadors host Monte Vista (14-6) on Tuesday in matchup between the top two teams in the Grossmont Valley League.