Final Home Game Ends in Disappointment

Final Home Game

Ends in Disappointment

Rio Hondo Men’s Basketball ends they’re final home game with another loss against Pasadena City College on Wednesday night with a final score of 81-57.

Coming into Wednesday’s game, the Roadrunners were looking to snatch a win in a frustrating 5-22 season. A win would have ended the season on a high note for the sophomores on this young team.

Period one was a back and forth battle between these two, drawing 17 fouls combined in the first half. Pasadena was the stronger team to start the game, but the Roadrunners didn’t back down and came back to take the lead heading into halftime. Both teams were inaccurate however, only scoring 6 of 24 3-pointers combined in the first half. Defense was the name of the game in the first half.

The second half collapsed on the Roadrunners as they lost the lead and fell behind quickly.

PCC put on a clinic, scoring 53 points in the second half alone while Rio Hondo only put up 26.

Alwyn Saddler IV showed out in his final home game scoring 22 points and Sharodd Lewis also had a great game, scoring 18 from the bench.

Coach Steve Johnson gave his thoughts about the game…

What did you think of your team’s performance today against Pasadena City? “We were happy with our effort in the first half of the game but we’re not able to sustain the type of effort it takes to win a tough game like this one. Overall we got better post play in terms of rebounding and finishing shots at the basket.”

First half of the game your team came out strong keeping the game close with the lead, what changed in the second half? “We didn’t have the same energy from the first half which led to us giving up easy baskets.”

What a performance by Alwyn Saddler he had a great game tonight, scoring 22 pts. Your thoughts on his performance in his final home game. “He did a really good job of finding his shot tonight. He’s capable of those types of performances.”

Final home game of the season for these sophomores and it wasn’t the result they were hoping for, what do you expect from some of these players in the future?

“We hope our sophomores will have an opportunity to play at the next level. Our freshmen will continue to develop their game.”

“We didn’t have the same energy from the first half which led to us giving up easy baskets,” said Johnson. In the end of the night, the Roadrunners fell to PCC and ended their final home game with a tough loss. However, Rio Hondo closed out their 2023 season with a win against LA Trade Tech in a 87-86 victory.