The game started with the Dons winning the tip-off and scoring the first points of the game. De Anza immediately took control, with fast break lay-ups by freshman guard George Henderson.

In the first half of the game, De Anza dominated with possession of the ball. The Lassen College Cougars gave up the ball with turnovers as the Dons took open steal opportunities. Henderson led the Dons with 12 points, followed by 9 points from Denzel Copeland. The Dons led the game at the end of the first half 47-26.

The Cougars refused to let the Dons increase their lead during the second half. Lassen started to press on defense and took more chances on getting the ball inside the key for lay-ups. An improved Lassen defense contained De Anza, and lessened the scoring margin. The Dons bgan surrendering offensive rebounds, allowing Lassen to take advantage of scoring opportunities. The Cougars led the Dons in second-half scoring, with a six-point spread, 37-31.

Don lead scorers in the second half were Denzel Copeland with six points, and Frank Sol and Don Washington each scoring four points.

Jimmy Escudero, a De Anza freshman guard, said, “We did good. And even though [Lassen is] a winless team, we still wanted to do well.” He said there were a few mistakes that could have been avoided, but it was a good experience for new players and a great start for the rest of the season.

“It was a great game, especially in the first 20 minutes and last six minutes of the second half,” De Anza head coach Jason Damjanovic said. “We played really good offense and it was the little intricate details that made this game a win. We’re gonna keep getting better. We still have a lot of room to grow.”

JUMP AND SCORE – De Anza forward LaRon Campbell (52) goes up against Lassen’s defense in the second half of the game Nov. 17. (ALIX METANAT / LA VOZ WEEKLY)

FACEOFF – Lassen tries to defend the basket against De Anza, and in this case, point guard Denzel Copeland (3). (ALIX METANAT / LA VOZ WEEKLY)