With Inland Empire Athletic Conference play opening Wednesday, the San Bernardino Valley College men's basketball team got a reminder that you can't let your guard down for a second.

SBVC built a 17-point lead about halfway through the first half, but visiting Pasadena City College closed the score to four points with 3:11 remaining in the game, before the Wolverines were able to buckle down and put the game away, beating the Lancers 88-80 Saturday afternoon.

The big advantage for the Wolverines was on the boards. SBVC outrebounded Pasadena 48-36, with the big advantage coming on the defensive end, as SBVC pulled down 32 of Pasadena's missed shots, to only 22 defensive rebounds for the Lancers. 

Leading that effort for the Wolverines were a pair of players who posted double-doubles. Jason Hilliard scored a season-high 25 points, while pulling down 12 rebounds - five of them on the offensive end. And while he struggled from the field, Darius Carr ended the game with 10 points and 13 rebounds - 11 of those on the defensive end.

All five SBVC starters ended in double figures, as Khemmani Davis also posted a season high, with 18 points. Guard Shadale Knight had nine assists to go with his 15 points, and Jason Lee had 13 points and seven assists as well. 

Dylan Swillis led Pasadena with 21 points.

SBVC opens conference play Dec. 18 against Victor Valley College. The women's game as part of the doubleheader tips off at 5 p.m., with the men's game starting about 20 minutes following the conclusion of the first game.