The Mountain Lions battled the Las Positas College Hawks, losing 83-78 marking its fourth basketball loss in a row on Feb. 4 in the De Anza College Main Gym.

The Hawks boast an overall 21-1 record, making them the No. 2 team in the Coast-North Conference according to the California Community College Athletic Association.

Early in the game the Mountain Lions trailed mostly, but a barrage of three pointers from Dominic Diaz (No. 4), business major, and Theo McDowell (No. 24), 19, business major, gave the Mountain Lions a 22-18 lead at the 11:51 mark.

Las Positas players’ size advantage showed when Wing Emerson Jones (Las Positas No. 2) hit a contested spin-move jump shot, which shortened De Anza’s lead 24-22.

Guard/forward Dasan Poston (De Anza No. 15), 19, psychology major, tripped mid-air over Mason Hudnall (Hawks No. 5), causing them to collide on the ground. Potson shot and scored 2 free throws after the exchange.

The players and crowd showed sportsmanship when they clapped for Hudnall rising to his feet.

Poston continued to make impactful scores during the first half, including two back-to-back three pointers that won the lead again, 37-35.

The Mountain Lion’s successful offense tonight was noticed by other players including guard/forward McDowell.

“We were moving the ball a lot better than we have in these past couple games,” said McDowell.

The second period began with De Anza in front of the Hawks 41-39.

“I felt like for the majority of the game, we were beating them,” McDowell said. “We’ve got to keep playing as a team on offense.”

Head coach Joe Berticevich said the game came down to the wire but turnovers were the deciding factor to the loss.

“I’ve been in a slump, so it felt good to hit those shots,” said Poston, who scored a two-handed slam dunk. “We handle ourselves well. We still need to get over that hump.”