Cypress Charges Back in Comeback Win
Starkey had a double-double Wednesday night. |
February 6th, 2008
box score
Cypress, Calif. – As if the Chargers did not have enough thrills from their Friday night overtime win, Cypress made it thrilling again Wednesday with a late comeback. Despite being down as much as 14 in the second half, the Chargers mounted a late comeback for a 73-69 win over Orange Coast. Freshman guard Sean Starkey made some key late rebounds and free-throws finishing with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
The Chargers and Pirates played through a competitive first half that included twelve lead changes and ten ties with OCC on top 37-34 at half. Orange Coast took charge in the second half jumping out to a 14 point lead in the first five minutes. Cypress would not fade away. The Chargers were down ten with eight minutes left when they mounted their comeback run. Cypress hit three straight baskets cutting the OCC lead to four. The two traded baskets for a few minutes until the five minute mark. Down five, Freshman guard Jerome Winston hit a layup and then stole the ball, passed it up court to sophomore guard Eric Butler for a dunk cutting the lead to one. Winston continued to produce with another layup for Cypress’s first lead of the second half. Starkey grabbed a key defensive rebound and converted two clutch free-throws to take the three point lead. OCC battled back and tied it at 69 with 27 seconds left. Freshman forward Devon McDonald hit what would become the winning layup with 11 seconds left. Coast went down court and got fouled but were unable to take advantage of their layups that would half tied the game and were forced to foul Starkey who converted again for the four point win.
Sophomore guard Khalif Boyd led Cypress in scoring with 16 points, six assists, and seven rebounds. Butler ended the night with 12 points. Winston scored six of his seven points in the second half to push the comeback.
Cypress improves to 13-14 and 4-4 in conference which holds their spot at fourth. The Chargers have a bye Friday and return to action Wednesday for their final home game against Saddleback. The last time they met, Cypress won 94-73. The two meet up next Wednesday night at Cypress at 7:30 pm.