In an opening round game of the NorCal regional D2 playoffs in Walnut Creek, the Las Lomas Knights capitalized on the home crowd energy to take an early lead over Cordova. However, the Lancers battled back to take the lead. In the end, the Knights were able to put on an offensive onslaught in the second half to advance by winning 71-62.
In the first quarter, the Knights would rush to a 9-4 lead behind their senior guard duo of Treaven Duffy and Kevin Stafford. However, Lancer guard Pogos Trunyan had 2 three-point shots to help Cordova to go on a 12-3 run. The Lancers would take a 16-12 margin at the end of the quarter.
Cordova would extend the lead to 22-13 in the second quarter which would be their largest lead of the game. Las Lomas made several bad turnovers that would lead to easy Cordova baskets but the Knights were able to connect from three-point range to keep it close. As a result, the Knights would only trail 34-31 at the half.
Las Lomas, specifically Stafford, would come out firing as he made 3 three-point field goals to start the third quarter to give the Knights a 40-34 lead. Cordova would tie the game with 1:46 in the quarter at 46-46. The quarter would end with the Knights leading 51-50.
Cordova would grab a 58-56 fourth quarter lead but would then go on an offensive drought. Duffy would score 12 of the quarter's points for Las Lomas as they would have a game high lead at 70-60. The final score would be Las Lomas winning 71-62.
How this game was won: Las Lomas as a team made 12 three-point shots with Stafford accounting for 8 of them. Duffy and Stafford were able to score from anywhere as they had 25 and 29 points respectively. Despite giving up some runs to Cordova, Las Lomas was able to string together defensive stops and have their own offensive rallies.
Cordova analysis: Trunyan had 18 points while forward Nazariy Yakimchuk scored 19 to form an inside and outside duo. The Lancers were able to match all the Las Lomas runs except at the end. The Lancers finish the season at 22-8.
Las Lomas analysis: Coach Jeff Loving cited how the team played better defense in the second half while also hitting some critical shots. Stafford said that the 8 three-point shots were the result of the Cordova defenders keying too much on Duffy and stopping drives to the baskets. Duffy played to a different level in the fourth quarter as he said that he wants to keep the intensity level up both in game and practices.
Las Lomas versus St. Mary's Stockton: The two keys stats for this game will be rebounding and three-point shots. St. Mary's has 6-foot-10 Chris Magalotti and will give them a significant interior advantage. This could be moot if Las Lomas hits a high percentage of their three-point shots. If the Knights do not, then they will need to win or be close in the rebounding battle to have a chance. St. Mary's is peaking as they took the 7th seed in the SJS playoffs to win it which included a convincing win over these same Cordova Lancers. If this is a high scoring and up tempo game, then Las Lomas should win. If this is a half court game, St. Mary's with their size advantage should win. The survivor will get a chance to play against the winner of Mitty and Casa Grande.
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