Men’s Basketball: Martinez scores career-high 31 points in loss to SMC

Rio Hondo College sophomore Jonathan Martinez poured in a career-best 31 points on a frustrating night for the Roadrunners as they lost 85-70 to Santa Monica College to close out the Don Johnson Classic at Cypress College on Friday night.

The non-conference loss dropped Rio Hondo to 3-9 overall this season.

Martinez put up 14 of his game-high 31 points in the first half but Rio Hondo trailed the Corsairs 46-31 at the break. A 9-2 run by Santa Monica midway through the opening period gave the Corsairs all the breathing room they needed to hold on for the win.

Although Rio Hondo was outshot on the floor by Santa Monica (36%-55%), the Roadrunners made 23 of 35 shots at the free throw line to keep themselves in the game.

Rio Hondo got double-digit scoring efforts from Uziel Felix (16 points), Elijah McElroy (12 points), and Bryant Howing (10 points). McElroy nearly had a double-double with 9 rebounds while Felix had 6 boards and 3 assists.

The Roadrunners will look to get back in the win column when they return to action on Friday (Dec. 14) with a 5 p.m. home game against L.A. Pierce College.