By Tim Peterson
(Pasadena) – Maranatha withstood a Valley Christian rally in the fourth quarter and went on to beat the Defenders 54-50 Friday night at Maranatha.
The Minutemen entered the fourth quarter up 39-33 but Valley Christian went on a 10-2 run in the fourth to take a 43-41 lead with over three minutes left. Maranatha recovered to go on a 9-2 run of its own to take a five point advantage at 50-45 and held on from there.
Terrance Hampton Jr. had a couple big baskets inside down the stretch in the fourth quarter for the Minutemen and also hit a pair of key free throws. Hampton scored 10 points in the contest overall.
Maranatha knocked down seven free throws overall in the final frame to ice it.
Both teams started off slow as Maranatha led just 11-6 after the first quarter. Valley Christian hit only two field goals in the first with one of them being a three pointer.
Each side warmed up in second quarter. Valley Christian buried four three pointers in the second as Nathan Medina hit two back to back from long range and had eight points in the quarter. The Minutemen countered with five points each from Jaden Mojica and Isaiah Johnson as both hit a trey. Valley outscored Maranatha 16-15 in the quarter but the Minutemen were still up 26-22 at the half.
Maranatha maintained the lead in the third taking the six point advantage into the fourth before the Defenders made a push.
Medina had six in the fourth for Valley Christian and finished with a game high 21. Michael Wright scored eight points in the fourth quarter for Valley and was also in double figures with 12 overall. No other player for Valley had more than five.
For Maranatha Martin Zarzuela joined Hampton in doubles with 12. Isaiah Johnson had 9 Mojica and Russell Williams each added five.
Maranatha improved to 6-5 overall and 2-3 in the Olympic League. Valley Christian fell to 1-4 in league and 8-5 overall.
V 6 16 11 17 50
M 11 15 13 15 54
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