San Bernardino Valley College men’s basketball team uses balanced attack to beat Cerro Coso – San Bernardino Sun

SAN BERNARDINO — The talent level is exciting but for San Bernardino Valley College men’s basketball coach Quincy Brewer, it’s about the execution.

Three players scored 20 or more points as the Wolverines beat Cerro Coso 94-76 in a pivotal Inland Empire Athletic Conference game Wednesday night.

“When we’re a focused team and were playing hard and the ball is moving, we’re really hard to beat,” Brewer said. “I think we’re starting to turn into a team now.”

Sophomore guard Jason Lee was 8 of 11 from the field with 20 points, eight rebounds and six assists as SBVC (22-5 overall, 13-2 IEAC) likely secured a home game in the opening round of the upcoming CCCAA SoCal Regional playoffs with the win.

“We came in more locked in, more focused and with a good game plan and everybody executed tonight,” said Lee, who has scored 20 points in three of his last four games.

Darius Carr and Jason Hilliard both scored 23 points for the Wolverines, who have won five consecutive games with one regular-season game to play on Saturday.

“We have good talent but what’s going to help us advance is our defense,” Brewer said. “If we’re locked in a play selfless, we have a really shot to go all the way.”

After losing to Cerro Coso in last year’s SoCal Regional championship game, SBVC defeated Cerro Coso twice in conference play this season.

“I think this is a turning point for us,” Lee said. “We’re very much a different team now.”

Carr’s baseline turnaround jump shot was working early, and his breakaway dunk gave SBVC a 12-7 lead after the first 6 minutes.

The Wolverines utilized a full-court press, and their in-your-face defense led to quick baskets as Hilliard got inside and was fouled on consecutive possessions before completing the three-point play each time.

“We was hungry. Had to get this win,” said Hilliard, a Chino High graduate. “We kept pressure on the ball and stayed pressing the whole game. It made them play quick and we were able to get out in transition.”

Hilliard’s success at trim opened up space for Lee to operate in the paint and the 6-foot-1 Corona native was fouled sinking a layup for a 33-19 lead.

Khemanni Davis hit a three-pointer from the corner, Hilliard sank a standing shot from near the free throw line and the Wolverines went into halftime holding a 40-28 lead.

“The press works well,” Brewer said. “When we use it our guys play with energy and they play hard.”

Cerro Coso came out of the locker room without coach Chris Dugan to start the second half and proceeded to score the first basket before Dugan returned, but Lee again found space inside and an alley-oop dunk by Hilliard made it 56-43 before a timeout.

SBVC pushed its lead to 23 points on a put-back dunk by backup center Benjamin Byrd (Arrowhead Christian) midway through the second half, and after a brief run by Cerro Coso, Carr hit a 3 from the corner to keep a a wide margin.

Carr, who came in averaging more than 22 points per game, was 8 for 20 but just 2 of 10 from beyond the 3-point arc.

“He did not play his best game tonight but I like where he is right now mentally,” Brewer said.