Pirates open season with thrilling win over Rio Hondo
| Final | 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Rio Hondo (1-1, 0-0) | 37 | 50 | 87 |
|
Orange Coast (1-0, 0-0) | 42 | 46 | 88 |
SANTA MONICA -- The Orange Coast College men's basketball team kicked off the 2022-23 season with a BANG on Thursday with an 88-87 buzzer-beating win over Rio Hondo on Day 1 of the Santa Monica City College Tournament.
Jydon Hall, who came through late with made free throws to seal the win, led the Pirates with 25 points, while Noah Simmons added 14 points and four rebounds, including a pair of 3-pointers in the final 30 seconds. Logen Howard and Kyndle Terrell-Jones each added 12 points, while Sam Hunter contributed 11 points and four rebounds.
Coast led throughout most of the game and held a 10-point advantage before Rio Hondo ripped off an 11-0 run midway through the second half to grab a 63-62 advantage. The Roadrunners maintained that lead into the final minute of play before the Simmons and the Pirates bombed away from 3-point land to escape with the victory.
Trailing 87-85 with just over four seconds left, the Pirates got the ball to Hall who was fouled shooting a 3-pointer at the buzzer. The sophomore guard stepped up and calmly drained all three FTs to give the Pirates the win. Hall finished the game a solid 11-of-15 from the free-throw line.
Coast will return to action on Saturday at Santa Monica City College against L.A. Pierce, beginning at 5 p.m. OCC's first home game will take place on Friday, Nov. 18 against Cuyamaca, also at 5 p.m.
