Gritty Second Half Sends Hawks Past Cypress

For the second straight conference game, the No. 13 Santiago Canyon College men's basketball team found itself staring down a first-half deficit — this time against the Cypress College Chargers. Trailing by just one at halftime, the Hawks pieced together another formidable second half to secure a 68–57 victory.

Freshman Matt Mendias led the charge with timely scoring in both halves, finishing with a team-high 18 points. He went 7-for-9 at the free-throw line and posted 11 points before the break. The performance tied his career high and marked his third double-digit outing in the last four games.

Mendias was joined by fellow freshman Jacob De Armas, who continues to emerge as one of the conference's most dangerous scoring threats. De Armas totaled 14 points and seven rebounds while shooting 10-for-12 from the stripe, extending his double-digit scoring streak to seven straight contests.

Sophomore Salim Semaan and freshman Paris Lassiter added critical support in the momentum swing. Semaan delivered a 13-point, 12-rebound double-double, while Lassiter scored all eight of his points in the second half.

Despite posting one of their toughest offensive outings of the season, including a frigid 10.5% showing from beyond the arc, the Hawks shot 39.2% overall and held the Chargers to just 33.3% from the floor. SCC also protected the ball, committing a season-low six turnovers. The bench outscored Cypress by 13, and a 72.2% team mark at the free-throw line proved pivotal.