Posted: Dec 11, 2023
By Francisco Claudio
The Westcliff men's basketball team visited the University of Antelope Valley on Saturday and lost a close one 70-68, behind an impressive showing from Jamal Briscoe.
The Warriors went into the contest with a (2-4, Cal Pac 2-1) record and were looking to get back on track after their previous loss to USK.
The first half was a back-and-forth battle as both teams traded baskets with multiple lead changes occurring.
After the first 20 minutes of play, nothing was separating the teams as they were at a stalemate 27-27.
Jamal Briscoe led the Warriors in the first half with eight points with a couple of three-pointers and steals.
Rayven Turner had six points, four rebounds, and two steals.
The Warriors shot 35.7% from the field and 25.3% from the three-point line. They were able to keep UAV from making any threes as the Pioneers went 0-5.
After scoring the first basket and taking the lead to start the second half, Westcliff began to miss shots and turn the ball over which led to a run from UAV.
The Pioneers were able to extend their lead to double digits with 12 minutes to go in the half.
But that's when Briscoe put the team on his back and made a run too after getting a steal and finishing with a layup at the 9-minute mark.
Briscoe would score the next seven points for the Warriors to bring them within four points, 50-46.
A dunk by John Duff brought them within two points with less than four minutes in the ball game.
But UAV responded and held their ground, never surrendering the lead even when things got close.
With six seconds to go, Micaiah Hankins converted on a layup to even the score 68-68.
UAV took a time out and was able to get the game-winning layup to get the victory over the defending Cal Pac champs.
With the loss the Warriors have dropped their last two games and now have a record of (2-4, Cal Pac 2-2).
Briscoe had a stellar evening with a season-high 29 points on 10-13 shooting from the field and 5-7 from beyond the arc. He also had five steals and three rebounds.
Up next, the Warriors will pause conference competition and will play Northwestern next Saturday the 16th with an afternoon tip-off of 2 pm.
