Basketball: Roadrunners Rout Chaffey

The Rio Hondo Men’s Basketball team were comfortable winners Wednesday night, beating Chaffey College 77-60 at the Rio Gymnasium. A strong finish to the first half saw the Roadrunners take the lead midway and keep it until the end of regulation.

Pink hats, shirts, and jackets filled the bleachers during Coaches vs. Cancer Night as Jonathon Martinez, pink socks and all, and Elijah McElroy lead the team with 18 points each. Alexis Baron’s five field goals and 3-pointer from the center position added offense on a night when usual point-leader Kenyatta Louder was man-marked by Panthers players throughout.

The sophomore center’s strength inside caused Chaffey trouble from the start when the 6-foot-4 business major made a statement play early as he drove towards the basket and got fouled while putting up a shot that went in for a chance at a 3-point play which was converted.

In the ensuing minutes social sciences major McElroy stamped his name on the game while making his first five attempts including two 3-pointers.

The second half saw both teams switch scores with the Panthers having minimal affect on Rio’s lead. The 17-point win was the Roadrunners largest margin of victory all conference.

Up next for the Roadrunners is another home game against the East Los Angeles Huskies with tipoff set for 7 p.m. on Friday.