Orange County Community College Basketball : Cypress Wins Easily as Trade Tech Goes Cold

About the only drama in Cypress College’s basketball game against Los Angeles Trade Tech Wednesday night was whether Trade Tech would score in double figures in the second half.

Cypress built a 21-point lead early in the second half on its way to a 76-48 victory in the first round of the Cypress Thoroughbred Tournament.

The Chargers play George Air Force Base Friday night at 6:30 in the semifinals. Trade Tech plays L.A. Harbor in the consolation round at 2:30 p.m. Friday. George Air Force Base beat L.A. Harbor Wednesday, 79-76.

Cypress (7-6) led at halftime, 46-33, using a fast break that was helped by 10 Trade Tech turnovers.

The Chargers scored eight consecutive points to start the second half, leading, 54-33.

Trade Tech’s first points of the second half didn’t come until 13:36 remained when Titus Randle made a 10-footer from the baseline.

Trade Tech didn’t score again for another five minutes.

Cypress’ biggest lead was 68-39 with 3:58 to play.

Trade Tech was finally able to reach double figures in the half when Derrell Cunegin scored on a layup with 1:53 to go.

Trade Tech finished the second half with 15 points and made 6 of 26 shots in the half (23%). Trade Tech was 17 of 53 (32%) for the game.

Cypress, led by Jeff Green’s 14 points, shot 55% (35 of 64).

Greg Spruell (12), Jim Sammon (12), Mike Kotzin (11), John Jackson (10) and Kris Brodowski (10) all scored in double figures for Cypress.

In the Riverside Holiday Tournament:

Grossmont 76, Orange Coast 69--Orange Coast could get no closer than seven after trailing by 15 in the second half against Grossmont in the first-round game at Riverside. Mike Kelly scored 23 for the Pirates and Chuck McGavran added 18.

In the Glendale Tournament:

West Los Angeles 69, Golden West 65 (OT)--The Rustlers (2-6) rallied from an eight-point halftime deficit to lead by six with 1:20 in regulation, but lost in overtime to the Oilers (6-5) in a first-round game at Glendale Community College. West L.A. center Lavar Ball scored 27 and guard Doyle Balthazar 20, including the basket that tied the score at 57-57 with 14 seconds left in regulation. The Rustlers had a chance to win it in the final seconds but guard Tony Rizk’s layup was blocked at the buzzer. Forward Jim Stewart led the Rustlers with 22 points, and Rizk added 10.

In nonconference women’s action:

Cypress 77, Mt. San Antonio 35--Pam Fritsch scored 15 points and Janene Allen added 13 points as the Chargers (7-4) won this one at home.