MJC Tournament: Pirates hit 13 triples, still beaten by Marin

Jaron Dickson stroked home a three-point basket, Modesto Junior College’s 13th Thursday night, as the buzzer sounded.

Unfortunately for the Pirates, they needed a five-point hoop.

The last triple opened a box of bothersome what-ifs in Modesto’s 90-88 loss to Marin to end the first day of the 79th MJC Tournament. The home team connected on only nine of 18 free throws (including several misses down the stretch) and took a couple of ill-advised shots as the teams churned toward the finish.

Meanwhile, Marin hit seven of eight free throws in the final 1:09 and a decisive 23 of 29 for the night. That’s why Marin meets Cosumnes River in Friday night’s semifinals while Modesto – which has dropped five straight – is assigned a consolation date at 4 against Lassen.

“We need a couple of stops in the last five minutes just to push through,” Modesto freshman forward Kevin Howland said. “It’s the back five.”

Howland, a 6-6 product of Bullard High in Fresno, was right. Modesto (4-7), seemingly at ease in an entertaining and winnable game, simply lacked the right ingredients at the end.

Anthony Lewis’ triple drew Modesto even 71-71 with six minutes left. Marin (4-2) edged in front from there, anchored by guards Trevelin Queen with 25 points, Nylek Cobb with 21, J.T. Robinson with 16 and Derek Morgan with 13. The Mariners carried a five-point lead into the final minute and held on.

Queen, a smooth 6-foot-6 operator from Annapolis, Maryland, entered with a glossy reputation and did not disappoint. His easy hops and emphatic finishes punctuated a free-flowing game.

Modesto countered with a king, 6-5 freshman guard Jemeil King with 23 points. Trouble was, King fouled out with 2:59 left and Marin leading 81-75. The Pirates could have used their top scorer down the stretch.

The Pirates prefer an open-court style under first-year coach Mike Girardi and assistant T.J. Walker. Marin was more than happy to cooperate, and the teams swapped high-wire thrills. Modesto held its own, thanks in part to Howland’s off-the-bench 18 points and the hard-working Jordan Thornton with 15. Dickson had 12.

Howland, a lefty who escorted Bullard to two Central Section finals, netted three triples and sparked Modesto during both halves.

“We try to play fast and smart,” he said. “We’re still working on the smart part.”

Girardi liked his team’s effort. Executing during the game’s pressurized moments, however, remains a work in progress.

“You’re looking at only one or two plays here or there. It was a great opportunity,” he said. “We missed three layups in the second half. A lot of those things add up. That was the hardest we have played in the last five games.”

All four of Friday’s games will be live-streamed on norcalsports tv.

Fresno 76, Ohlone 69 – The three-time defending-champion Rams (9-4) showed their pedigree by ralling from an eight-point deficit with 8 1/2 minutes left. Fresno’s frenetic pace and superior depth eventually paid off as the Rams forced two critical turnovers and outscored a good Ohlone team 8-1 over the final two minutes.

“We set up the toughest schedule in the state for a reason,” Fresno coach Ed Madec said. “Everything we do is for March (the playoffs).”

Fresno, winner of a record 13 MJC titles and eight of the last 11, tempers any Fresno fatigue among local fans with six players from the Stanislaus District: Josthin Dawkins and Jordan Hollins-Buckner of Modesto Christian, Ethan Eads of Central Catholic, Jess Spivey of Sierra, Christian Carroll of Golden Valley and Fred Lavender of Weston Ranch. Tellingly, they combined for 41 points, including 14 by Carroll and 10 by Lavender.

Carroll’s steal, a result of the Fresno press, resulted in two free throws by Tyus Millhollin (15 points) and a 72-69 Rams lead. Later, two free throws by Carroll (14 points) clinched the win with 11 seconds left.

Ohlone (9-3) which placed third at MJC last year, led most of the game. The Renegades netted 12 3-pointers, three apiece by Devon Rowland (18 points) and Luis Ramirez, and dominated the boards with 6-foot-8 Cameron Niven.

Cosumnes River 74, Lassen 64 – Cosumnes River (6-4) pulled away after the teams were tied 57-57 with less than seven minutes left. Sophomore guard Leondre Lintz, the game’s leading scorer with 25 points, hit 11 of 11 free throws during the Hawks’ rally. Bolaji Famuyiwa, Cosumnes’ 6-8 post, powered for three baskets in the closing minutes. Freshman guard Khari Hutt also starred for the Hawks with 20 points. Lassen (8-7) was led by Kenny Macklin with 12 points and Cameron Brown with 11.

Sacramento 74, Cuesta 70 – Donovin Townsend’s potential game-tying runner curled out with 7 seconds left, and Cuesta fell short. Townsend, a graduate of Central Catholic, finished with 14 points and contributed to the Cougars’ comeback from a 15-point deficit.

Cuesta (4-7) inched in front on two occasions late in the game, in fact, but Sacramento’s David King connected on a baseline triple as he was falling with 1:53 left. That put the Panthers (6-4) in front to stay 72-70.

Michael Wadsworth anchored Sacramento with 20 points, and King had 18. Andres Aguado and Alex Quandie paced Cuesta with 16 points apiece.

This story was originally published December 15, 2016 at 5:57 PM with the headline "MJC Tournament: Pirates hit 13 triples, still beaten by Marin."