Wolverines Rally to Beat Falcons in Pre-Thanksgiving Showdown

Wolverines Rally to Beat Falcons in Pre-Thanksgiving Showdown

Chidi Udengwu stole the ball with two seconds remaining and emphatically slammed the ball as the clock expired to punctuate a 58-53 victory for San Bernardino Valley College's mens basketball team over the state's 16th-ranked team, Cerritos College.

The dunk, coming after Kevin McNeal had made two free throws with 2.4 seconds remaining, helped the Wolverines -- the state's top-ranked team -- remain undefeated at 7-0 going into the Thanksgiving break.

It also capped a stirring second half comeback for the Wolverines, who found themselves down six points at the half to the Falcons (5-2). After trading baskets to open the second half, the Wolverines went on a 10-0 run over five minutes of the second half to take the lead 40-36. San Bernardino Valley widened the lead to eight with about eight minutes to go, but could not stretch it any farther, as the Falcons would chip away, but never get back closer than two points.

Both teams' defense kept the others guessing all game, with both teams shooting less than 40 percent from the field. The Wolverines stuggled, making 20 of 61 shots (32.8 percent) and only making four of 19 three-point attempts. They made up for it at the free throw line, making 77.8 percent of their free throws, to only 57.1 percent for Cerritos.

Udengwu lead the way for the Wolverines with 16 points, six rebounds and six assists. McNeal followed with 14 points, as no other Wolverine was in double figures.

Cerritos was led by Riley Hamilton, who had 16.

The Wolverines will return to action Dec. 1 when they take part in the Gregg Anderson Memorial Tournament at Antelope Valley College. They will play Rio Hondo College at 1 p.m.