The De Anza men’s basketball team played host to the Hartnell College Panthers Jan. 8, with the Dons beating the Panthers 77-51.

The game picked up fairly quickly when the Dons jumped out to an early lead behind a quick layup basket from Frank Small. The Panthers answered back with a two-point shot tying the score.

The game remained back and forth, with both teams exchanging buckets per possession. 

But the Dons played their A-game, launching three-point shots and creating turnovers at every opportunity.

The wheels came loose for Hartnell when the Dons hit on back-to-back baskets to take a six-point lead at 22-16, before Panthers coach Andrew Vasher called a timeout to get his players in line.

The timeout did not work as well as Vasher would have liked. The Dons strengthened their defense, forcing the Panthers to take more outside shots.

The Dons kept their lead throughout the first half with an ending score of 32-24.

In the second half, the Dons defense kept the Panthers guessing by switching to a press and never letting Hartnell get comfortable.  The defensive effort required every player on the De Anza team to get into the game, making the game a true victory.

Jamarea Biggins and Denzel Copeland made their presence known as the lead scorers for De Anza. Biggins scored a total of 20 points, while Copeland scored 15 points for the home team. Don Washington also had the audience cheering with a steal and dunk in the 10th minute of the second half. Arman Paras added to the Dons’ victory with two three-pointers in the last three minutes of the game.

PANTHER TRAP – Don Washington (55) battles off Hartnell defenders to keep possession of the ball. (Photo by Alix Metanat, Sports Editor)