Kentfield—The Men's Basketball team is facing what could very well be their toughest week of season, but they started it off with a huge win in a hostile environment. The Mariners travelled to Yuba, a perennial power in the Bay Valley Conference, on Tuesday as part of their quest to defend their BVC title.
Yuba, a team that boasts three starters at least six-foot eight or taller, was prepared to clog up the middle against Marin, but Ty Davis and the Mariners guards had other plans. Davis hit five first-half threes as Marin torched the 49ers three-point defense making 10 threes in the first half. For a little perspective Marin averages seven made threes a game. Marin took a 46-38 lead into the locker rooms but knew that Yuba would not go away easily.
Yuba switched into a 2-3 zone and swarmed the 3-point line in an attempt to slow Marin's outside game. The Mariners adjusted accordingly and began doing their damage from inside. Keiland Callum scored 10 points in the second half, extending his double-digit scoring streak to seven games. Callum also pulled down 10 boards, giving Keiland his fourth double-double of the year. Callum's presence inside allowed for open looks from the perimeter and Marin took advantage, hitting 6 more threes in the contest.
None was bigger than George Johnson's three in the closing minutes. Yuba had taken a 77-76 lead, their first lead since the first minutes of the game, and the crowd was on its feet fueling a late push by the 49ers. Unfazed, the Mariners pushed the ball up the court and hit Johnson in the near wing, who pulled the trigger on a three. After connecting on the shot Johnson let out a mighty roar over the suddenly silent gym, the outburst by the normally stoic Johnson was a show of just how much the game meant to the entire Marin team. "They worked too hard to lose this game" commented assistant coach De'Undrae Perteete, the Mariners had controlled the entire game and played arguably their best game of the year against one of their toughest opponents. Karim N'Diaye sealed the win for Marin after collecting a missed free throw and kicking it out to Johnson with under thirty seconds to play.
Ty Davis led all scorers with 28 points, a career high, he finished the game with seven threes. Davis also pulled down 10 boards and recorded 10 assists, giving him the first triple-double in recent Marin history. George Johnson finished the game with 22 points and 9 assists. Noah Everly fell two points short of recording his fourth straight twenty point game, finishing with 18 and two assists.
Listen to the entire radio call on the College of Marin Website.
Marin will continue their tough week Thursday against Mendocino and wrap it up on Saturday against Contra Costa, both games are on the road. Listen to them live via College of Marin Radio on UStream.