Minutemen Muscle Their Way Past Valley Christian

Terrance Hampton led the Minutemen with 18 points. (Photo by Duane Barker).

By Tim Peterson

(Pasadena) – Maranatha used a strong inside game and had three players in double figures in a 65-58 win over Valley Christian Friday night in Olympic League action.

The Minutemen jumped out to a 12-1 lead right out of the gate and led 18-10 after the first quarter. And although Valley Christian did make a run in the second quarter to take a lead, Maranatha quickly recovered to take an eight-point half time advantage.

The Minutemen maintained the lead in the third quarter and were able to secure the win in the final frame. They did it mainly by dominating inside behind the work of Terrance Hampton and Alex Smith.

Hampton, a 6’9″ senior, scored seven points in the first quarter muscling his way down in the paint and ended up with 18 to lead the Minutemen in scoring. Hampton had six field goals and was eight of nine from the free throw line.

Zain Mahmood had 14 for Maranatha doing some solid work inside. (Photo by Duane Barker).

Alex Smith, at 6’7″ was the other big man for Maranatha as he finished with 13 including 11 in the second half. Smith threw down a jam that ignited the crowd in the third quarter and had six points in the fourth. Zain Mahmood was the third player in doubles with 14 for the Minutemen including a three pointer in the second quarter.

“We’re big so we try to pound the ball inside,” said Maranatha Coach Tim Tucker. “And I thought Terrance and Alex Smith did a good job tonight. Also Zain Mahmood, the young man from Canada had a good game.”

Valley Christian caught Maranatha in the second quarter as Miles Harvey scored 12 of the Defenders’ 18 points in the period. Maranatha withstood the charge however to lead 36-28 at the break.

Harvey led all scorers with 20 points which included nine for nine from the charity stripe. Nicholas Bozanic had 11 and T.J. Waters added nine as Valley Christian tried to keep pace with the Minutemen after Maranatha’s first quarter surge but could never get over the hump.

Nicholas Khatchikian and Reese Song also contributed for Maranatha with eight and seven points respectively. Song was four for four from the line.

Maranatha improved to 10-8 overall and 1-1 in the Olympic League with the victory while Valley Christian fell to 11-8 and 0-2.

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