Santa Rosa Junior College’s men’s basketball team missed out on a playoff berth after a painful loss to the Diablo Valley College Vikings on Feb. 16 at Haehl Pavilion.
The Bear Cubs possessed the lead all the way up until the final four seconds when Diablo Valley completed its improbable comeback with a three point shot in the clutch, pushing the Vikings to a 57-56 victory.
Santa Rosa started brilliantly with forward Nolan Capurro hitting a three point shot on the game’s first possession. Guard Connor Stechschulte continued the accurate shooting as he hit from three point distance early on.
Diablo Valley implemented a full court press throughout the game, but executed with mixed success in the first half.
Sophomore guard Teo Tomerlin stood out offensively for the Bear Cubs, leading the team with 16 points in his final game for SRJC.
Impressive scoring from Vikings guard Yatyn Anderson kept the Vikings in the game and the Bear Cubs’ lead to only six points going into half up 29-23.
Santa Rosa forward Stephen Ransom was all over the court offensively and defensively to start the second half. He finished well in the paint and provided some crucial blocks on defense.
Vikings forward Osumanu Nuhu played a much larger role in the second half than the first and helped quickstart Diablo Valley’s eventual comeback. Nuhu converted in the lane multiple times against a fierce Bear Cubs defense.
Far more consistent offense and intensity on defense, helped the Vikings claw back at Santa Rosa’s lead. A huge three from Diablo Valley guard Lorenzo Pardo set up a dramatic finish with less than two minutes left.
Three missed free throws down the stretch from the Bear Cubs led to a three from Diablo Valley guard Ben Tellez with four seconds left to give them their first lead of the game, and ultimately the win.
