The Bakersfield College men’s basketball team lost a hard-fought game against Moorpark College on Nov. 16 by a score of 67-65. With the loss, BC dropped to 1-3 on the young season, while Moorpark improved to 4-2.
Both teams exchanged layups to begin the game, with the first 3-pointer coming from Moorpark’s Jeremiah Windham until under 10 minutes of the half.
This would be a preview of what was to come from both teams, as they combined for only seven 3-pointers in 28 attempts. Windham’s shot increased the lead at the time to 19-10, and it allowed the visiting Raiders to take control for the rest of the half.
Tyler Silva’s 3-pointer, with under a minute left before halftime, allowed the Renegades to make it a six-point game as they went into the locker room.
A 37-31 Moorpark lead at halftime quickly went to 48-33 within the first three minutes of the second half. But the Renegades wouldn’t go down without a fight, as they slowly made their way back into the game with some help from Moorpark’s cold offense.
The Raiders would go on an 11-minute field goal drought thanks to the superb Renegades defense.
However, the Renegades suffered a brutal loss in the middle of the 2nd half. With under nine minutes left, guard Elijah Williams suffered a lower leg injury and did not return to the game. Williams would finish the night with 11 points and 7 rebounds.
In the last three minutes of the game, both teams again exchanged layups and free throws, with the Raiders holding onto a two-point lead with under 30 seconds left.
The following sequence would be what ended up costing BC the game, as multiple offensive rebounds gave them four attempts at tying the game. All four shots came up short, but a turnover by Windham gave BC a fifth attempt that Malik Petty wouldn’t waste.
The score was tied at 65 with seven seconds left. BC needed one more defensive stop to force overtime, but a foul would send Moorpark’s Jack Benyshek to the line for two free throws. Benyshek would make both, and BC would not have time for a last second shot.
