Heartbreaking loss for the CRC history books

Last night's contest was full of back-and-forth action. CRC and DVC exchanged leads several times in the first half. CRC had a nice balance of threes and shots in the paint. The Hawks did a nice job of creating turnovers with their extended zone defense and sending long outlets down the floor for layups. DVC relied on 3-point shooting for most of their offense. CRC contested all perimeter shooting, but DVC shot 6-15 from three to stay close. CRC had as much as a 6-point lead and carried a 30-28 lead into the break.

Second half action was full of intense possessions. Despite a scoring drought on two stretches in the latter part of the game, the Hawks defense kept some momentum on their side by causing three shot clock violations and two 10-second backcourt violations against DVC. The Hawks dropped the zone and went to man defense.

Out of a DVC timeout, the Vikings got a well-drawn backdoor play for a tough layup. So CRC found themselves down by as much as 9 points late in the game (just a little over 5 minutes remaining). Immediately after, the Hawks used dribble drive and passing high post in and out action to create open 3-point looks. Jordan Roberson hit 2 threes, Nate Wilson scored on a drive in the paint from the high to low post, and De'Rajaee Austin hit another 3 in the corner to force a DVC timeout. Out of the timeout with the Hawks tied at 55 apiece and 2:34 left, Jordan Roberson hits another 3 to go up 58-55 with about a minute to go. DVC scored on the next possession with a running Off-balance jumper to cut the lead to 58-57.

With less than 30 seconds left and the shot clock off, DVC fouled purposefully to send Jalen Valverde to the line on bonus. Valverde goes 1-for-2 to extend the lead to 59-57. With 17 seconds left, DVC calls timeout. The gut feeling was that DVC was going to sick with their strength of 3-point shooting and go for the win on their next possession. The Vikings ran a pick-and-pop play to score a 3 and take a 60-59 lead. CRC inbounded quickly and took the ball down the floor. Valverde drove aggressively from the top and took a runner going down the lane line and was fouled with 3.3 seconds left. DVC has no timeouts and CRC had one. Valverde made the first of two free throws, then Coach Jonathan James called timeout to set his defense and settle his shooter. Out of the timeout, Valverde nails his second free throw in clutch fashion while giving the Hawks a 61-60 lead. CRC had a foul to give, so when DVC inbounded the ball and dribbled, the Hawks fouled with 1.3 seconds left to force DVC to inbound in the back court again. CRC had 6'8" sophomore Everton Maxwell jumping up and down to challenge the inbounds pass and attempt for a deflection. CRC forced a pass away from the basket to the DVC player. DVC fumbled the pass, recovered it, and heaved a highly contested 65ft slinging shot and nailed it as time expired.

The Hawks took a heartbreaking 63-61 loss to end a 4-game home stand. CRC did everything but get the victory. DVC stole this one for on the road.

Next game is this Tuesday at Folsom Lake at 5:30pm

Top Scorers - Jordan Roberson 23pts, De'Rajaee Austin 16pts