Hawks Best Long Beach to Snap Two-Game Slide

Photo by Joanne Goodfellow
Photo by Joanne Goodfellow
November 25, 2024

After a strong start to the season with a five-game winning streak, the Santiago Canyon College men's basketball team hit a bump in the road, dropping two straight games. However, the Hawks bounced back with an 83-78 victory over the Long Beach City College Vikings on Monday, regaining their early-season momentum.

Both teams were effective offensively, with the Vikings slightly outshooting the Hawks overall. However, Santiago Canyon gained an edge from beyond the arc, shooting 33 percent from three-point range compared to Long Beach's 30 percent.

The Hawks entered the second half with a three-point lead and quickly expanded it, opening the period with a 14-6 run. Sophomore guard Tony Colley sparked the stretch with a three-pointer, assisted by freshman forward Connor McKee. Freshman EJ Bryson followed with a jumper, and then Colley added a layup to cap the run, pushing the lead to 10 points. Sophomore guard Eli Arthurton also chipped in with a three-pointer, assisted by McKee, as the Hawks positioned the Vikings in the rear-view mirror.

Colley led the team with 21 points, five rebounds, and two steals. It was his seventh game of the season with double-digit scoring. Bryson contributed 14 points, marking his fourth consecutive game in double figures. He also recorded five rebounds and five assists.

McKee nearly notched a double-double, finishing just one point shy with a career-high 14 rebounds to go along with nine points. Sophomore Trevor Manning provided a spark off the bench, contributing 10 points in the win.