HAWKS DROP TIPOFF CLASSIC OPENER TO SAN JOSE

SAN JOSE, Calif.- The 2014-15 season officially tipped off last night, as the Cosumnes River men's basketball team opened the season with a 90-74 loss to host San Jose City College in the Tipoff Classic.  The Hawks return to action today in consolation bracket play, when CRC takes on Foothill College from Los Altos Hills.

The host Jaguars, ranked in the Top 5 in a number of preseason polls and led by a sophomore core, got off to a quick start against CRC's young nucleus.  San Jose City pushed to a double digit lead early in the first half, and pushed the lead to as much as 15 by the eight minute mark, before the Hawks put together a run of their own.  Sophomore guard Mitchell Love led the Hawk offense with 16 points in the first half, as CRC cut the deficit to eight, trailing 51-43 at intermission.  Freshman guard Will White had the opportunity on a late steal with seconds remaining to cut the deficit to six, but was fouled as time expired and the referees swallowed their whistle.

San Jose continued to ride their veteran forward Maurice Joiner and guard Stevinaire Young, as the host Jags once again pushed the deficit to double digits in the opening minutes of the second half.  Compounding matters for CRC, the Hawks had one of their worst shooting performance from the foul line in recent memory, shooting 57% on the day from the charity stripe on 20-37 shooting.  The young and resilient Hawks continued to battle, however, led by forwards David Straughter and Daylon Potts.  Straughter recorded a double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds, while Potts scored nine points and grabbed a team-high 14 rebounds in his collegiate debut, as CRC closed the deficit to six points with three minutes to play.  However, San Jose City capitalized on the Hawks 26 turnovers including seven in consecutive possessions to close the game, as the Jaguars defeated Cosumnes River 90-74 in the first round of the SJCC Tipoff Tournament.

Freshman guard Josh Johnson scored 10 points in his first collegiate game while also contributing five assists and three steals.  Freshman center Donald Mims scored six points, grabbed four rebounds and blocked four shots in his collegiate debut.  The Hawks will take on Foothill College in an elimination consolation bracket game today at 4 PM.  Foothill lost their opening contest to preseason #1 ranked Merritt, 64-61 in the nightcap.  The winner of that contest will take on the winner of Riverside-Merced, tomorrow at 1 PM in the consolation championship game.  Cosumnes River defeated Monterey Peninsula College last year in the tournament's consolation championship game.