Squad snags road victory over Cougars

ALAMEDA — The winning streak continues for the men's basketball team, which picked up its fifth consecutive victory beating College of Alameda 61-51 here on Friday.

Offensively, Contra Costa College (15-8 overall, 7-3 in the Bay Valley Conference) played well, but it was the defense that held the Cougars in check.

COA (9-17 overall, 3-7 in the BVC) found itself down by double digits to CCC at halftime. The same feat happened when CCC faced the Cougars at home on Jan. 6.

The Cougars scored just 13 points during the first 20 minutes of play Friday night.

"Our goal is to defend each possession and make teams take tough shots against us," coach Miguel Johnson said. "When teams are able to play us in close games, it's normally due to our mental errors."

CCC grabbed the early lead in the first half and although COA was able to cut the deficit to just six points during the second half, CCC never lost the lead.

Comet guard Robert Ellis said CCC, which has beaten COA three times this season, was focused on putting forth a strong effort against the Cougars.

"We (had) beaten them twice already," Ellis said. "It's hard to beat a team three straight so we just wanted to come out with more energy."

CCC controlled the paint on both ends of the court as Cougar big men shot a combined 10-31 shots from the field while Comet forwards Chris McFadden-Martin and Isaac Jackson combined for 29 points and 13 rebounds.

McFadden-Martin led all scorers with 21 points on 90 percent shooting. He finished with five rebounds.

"I wanted to play the best I could," McFadden-Martin said. "I'm a sophomore trying to get a scholarship and I have to play the best that I can."

McFadden-Martin finished with one of his best games as a Comet.

"Chris has been struggling this season," Johnson said. "I think his struggles have been mental. Once he was able to take on his role he's played with a lot of energy and it's helping a lot.

"That was his first 20-point game in two years. That tells us we're playing well," Johnson said

Although winning the BVC might be out of reach for the Comets, winning their remaining two games will put them in a good position to see some postseason action this year.

"If we beat Mendocino and Marin, we'll have a good chance to make the playoffs," Jackson said.

Currently the Comets are in third place in the BVC. They are one game behind second place Mendocino College.

Both teams have two games remaining before postseason play begins.

"We could end up in a tie for second place," Johnson said. "A win against Mendocino College puts us more in the driver's seat in terms of the playoff picture."

The Comets plan to keep their playoff vision alive when they play Mendocino College tonight at 7:30 p.m. at home.

Johnson said a major key to the team's success this year has been the consistency of each of his players.

Johnson said because the Comets have 10 players, all of whom are capable of starting, CCC is difficult to contend with when it gets solid production from all of its players.