Men’s Basketball sophomore Night Spoiled: Dons final home game of the season ends in defeat, 77-64

Sophomore Night at De Anza College went poorly for the men’s basketball team as they fell to Monterey Peninsula College 77-64 in their final home game Wednesday, Feb. 3.

 
This would be the last time Don players, Tory Stamps, Jimmy Escudero, Daniel Paulson, Karl Mann, RJ McCune, and Cooper Wilson would play at home.

 
Unfortunately McCune and Escudero did not play due to injuries sustained in the previous game.
“I love these guys,” said captain Cooper Wilson after playing his last game at De Anza. “They’re like my family, I care for each and every one of them as a brother.”

 
Although the game did not end the way the Dons wanted,  players were still proud of their team and each other.

 
“These guys are different, with very different personalities,” guard Jeremy Ishimaru said. “By far one of the best teams I’ve been a part of.”

 
De Anza started the game active and vocal, but were unable to hit any shots, which allowed Monterey to gain a five-point lead within the first two minutes of the game.

 
After calling a timeout, the Dons came back strong, going on a 11-4 run and earning their first lead of the game.

 
Monterey came right back, forcing the Dons into some turnovers and turning them into fast-break points.

 
The Lobos went into the half with a 34-27 lead.

 
As the Dons made their way back onto the court, Wilson was tended to by the medical staff.

 
“I was going for a rebound on the ball and must have hit it wrong or something, and it broke,” Wilson said.

 
Wilson’s injury didn’t appear to phase De Anza at the start the second half. Ishimaru opened up with a steal and traveled coast to coast for an easy lay-up, starting a run for the Dons.

 
The Dons found a groove, hitting a couple three pointers and forcing Monterey turnovers. They cut the deficit to 48-46.

 
After a Lobos timeout, they began to play press defense against the Dons, forcing the Dons into making several mistakes.

 
“We weren’t getting offensive rebounds or getting back in transition,” Stamps said.

 
Mistakes doomed the Dons and allowed Monterey to run away with the game in the 77-64 loss, dropping De Anza to a 7-14 record.

 
“Whether some of the sophomores were here one, two, or three years,” said head coach Jason Damjanovic. “I think they know I appreciate their effort they put into this team.”