STORY BY MATT SIMON
Millikan boys’ basketball coach Nate Berger knew his team had a tough task ahead of them facing one of the top team’s from the San Diego area on Saturday in the Ron Massey Tip Off Classic at Long Beach City College.
San Marcos used a stifling zone defense to frustrate the Rams offense and hold on for a 48-46 win. Millikan finished the game with the ball but couldn’t get a shot off before time expired.
The Rams trailed the Knights 15-10 after the first quarter and continued to struggle offensively going down 27-19 at the break.
“I think it just took us awhile to adjust to what they were doing,” Berger said. “I don’t know what the score was at halftime, but it felt like we had 10 points. We settled in the second half. I thought we did much better.”
In the third quarter, the Rams were better offensively but weren’t able to get into a complete rhythm due to multiple fouls. Millikan went 7-for-10 from the free-throw line and only had two made field goals in the third quarter.
Trailing 37-31 heading into the final quarter, Millikan saw the lead jump to 46-36. Thanks to San Marcos’ fouls the Rams found themselves in the bonus and began to chip their way back into the game. Going 9-for-11 from the free throw line, Millikan was down 48-46 with 20 seconds left.
After taking a timeout, the Rams weren’t able to get a shot off as time expired.
Rob Diaz had 16 points in the contest, but struggled to find his shot early in the contest.
Millikan will look to bounce back when it continues Moore League play on Monday at Wilson.
