Men’s Basketball: Roadrunners outlast LA City for 74-71 win

WHITTIER – Pierre Daire scored 20 points while Mike Bilal posted a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds to help lead Rio Hondo College to a 74-71 win over visiting Los Angeles City College on a Friday night.

The South Coast Conference North Division victory snapped the Roadrunners' six-game losing streak. Rio Hondo improved to 4-16 overall and 1-1 in the SCC North.

Rio Hondo took a narrow 35-33 lead into halftime and was able to prevail; in the back-and-forth battle over the final 20 minutes. A pair of free throws by Bilal with 53 seconds left broke a 69-69 tie and put Rio Hondo out in front for good.

Bilal would score the Roadrunners' final 5 points of the contest. He added 5 assists, 5 steals, and a big block late in second half.

Dejon Brown was solid for Rio Hondo, putting up 17 points while grabbing 5 boards. James Barker contributed 15 points and 4 assists.

The Roadrunners are back in action on Wednesday (Jan. 31) when they host East Los Angeles College in a 5 p.m. SCC North Division game.