Mychal Deas scored 10 points in the loss to Desert
Posted: Jan 28, 2015
Sophomore Jonathan Cortez scored a team-high 16 points but Rio Hondo College couldn't hold a second half lead and lost 75-69 to visiting College of the Desert on Wednesday night in Whittier.
The Foothill Conference defeat dropped Rio Hondo to 14-9 overall and 2-3 in conference play.
Rio Hondo led by as many as 14 points in the first half and was up 39-32 at the break.
But with RHC up 46-34 at the 18:27 mark in the second, COD put together a 13-0 run. Kevin Smith scored 11 points during the surge, starting and ending the rally with three-pointers to give Desert a 47-46 advantage with 13:29 to play.
With under a minute to play, Rio Hondo got within two points at 68-66 after a pair of free throws by Cortez, but COD made five of six free throws over the final 30 seconds to secure the victory.
Wesley Burke scored 12 points and Jordan Zavala added 11 points and seven rebounds. Mychal Deas also chipped in with 10 points in the loss for Rio Hondo.
Anthony Kellum scored a game-high 19 points for Desert (11-10, 3-2 FC).
RHC is back in action on February 4 at Victor Valley College.