There’s a certain pattern emerging for Gavilan’s basketball team
that coach Tito Addison is hoping the Rams can break.
There’s a certain pattern emerging for Gavilan’s basketball team that coach Tito Addison is hoping the Rams can break.
For the second time in three games, Gavilan fell behind by 10 points at halftime. In fact, the 32-22 deficit was eerily close to the one the Rams faced in their game last week against West Valley College when they trailed 31-21. Only this time, the outcome was different than the one-point defeat to the Falcons.
Jessie LoBue hit a jump shot inside the key with eight seconds left as Gavilan rallied from behind Friday to take a 56-55 win over Mendocino College in the first round of the Napa Tournament.
LoBue took a pass from Nick McLaurin as he launched his jumper in the finals seconds that gave the Rams (2-4) their only lead of the night as they completed their remarkable comeback.
“We’ve got to get out of the gate a little faster,” Gavilan coach Tito Addison said. “We’re not hitting our shots early. We’re getting open shots but they’re not falling. But the guys took care of the ball better in the second half.”
With 7-0 center Eric Van Vliet saddled with early four trouble and playing just seven minutes in the first half, the Rams fell behind by 10. Van Vliet came back strong in the second half with eight of his 11 points to back up Daniel Wynn, who led Gavilan with 14 points.
Luke Murrell provided a huge lift off the bench for the Rams with all eight of his points in the second half. Murrell hit two treys and converted a layup off a steal.
“The guys showed plenty of heart with the way they came back,” Addison said. “They had plenty of chances to fold in the first half and didn’t. They stayed strong. They’re starting to believe in the system. Today, we were able to walk away with a win.”
Mendocino was led by Jared Giammona’s game-high 21 points.
Gavilan moves into the semifinals at 6pm today when it faces Comunes River Junior College. The winner advances to the final at 6pm Sunday with the loser in the consolation contest at 3pm.
