Basketball: Rio Falls to Chaffey in Overtime

The Rio Hondo Men’s Basketball team lost a close game in overtime on Friday night at Earl Sicosky Gymnasium to Chaffey College by the score of 65-63.

Freshman guard Jonathon Martinez scored two clutch free throws with three seconds left in regulation to send the close game to overtime but the Roadrunners were unable to complete the exciting comeback against the Panthers.

The two halves were sun and moon in comparison as Chaffey showed dominance in the first period while the visiting Roadrunners took the upper hand in the second half.

As the clock fell to zero, with Rio down two points, Martinez was fouled with seconds left to give the Roadrunners a chance to send the game to overtime. The Sonora High School product drained both shots in a pressure-filled situation but in overtime the Panthers prevailed when shooting forward Darrion Willies scored a jump shot with three seconds left to give the Roadrunners all but three seconds to send the game to double OT to no prevail.

Sophomore guard Kenyatta Louder was the team’s highest scorer with 24 points and Martinez’s 15 points and key free throws also helped contribute to the team’s valiant efforts.

After beating Los Angeles Trade Tech on Wednesday, the Roadrunners fall to 1-1 in conference play and look to rebound against East Los Angeles College as Rio visit the Huskies on Wednesday night for a 7 p.m. tipoff.