Oxnard College (15-8, 7-2) slipped by Moorpark College (8-16,3-7) 82-79 on the shoulders of reserve point guard Malcolm Popes’ stellar performance.

Pope had 25 points in the game. Down the stretch he came through with clutch free throws to put OC up 76-74. Pope and OC never looked back from their extending lead even with the efforts of MC.

MC hit a key late three to make it 77-80 with 1:06 left. OC drew a foul on the next play; Gary Johnson hit 1of 2 from the line and MC hopes jumped up when guard Coltrane Powdrill drew a three-point foul.

Powdrill only hit 2 of the 3 from the three-point foul. Things were bleak as MC was forced to foul and OC went up 82-79.

With 5.5 seconds left MC had one more chance, but the lock down defense by OC kept MC from bringing the ball down and was forced to take an erratic shot that reamed out.

MC met a good team that came together in the clutch minutes.

“I don’t think weakness played a part in (this loss), I just think we lost to a good team,” said MC head coach Remy McCarthy.

The Raiders shot 58% from the field and had 29 rebounds in total, MC had a complete game just couldn’t pull through in the final seconds when push came to shove.

Forward Alex Romero had a double-double for MC with 20 points and 13 rebounds. Coltrane Powdrill had 25 points to answer OC’s Malcolm Pope 25 points drubbing.

“Getting the ball to the high post was key,” said Forward Codye Hatcher of OC.

OC’s Steven Powell had a season high 17 points and Pope came of the bench for his 25 points.

Ventura College’s (21-7, 9-2) ineligibility means Saturday’s win for OC against Santa Barbara College 105-67 clinches WSC north supremacy at 16-8, 8-2 in WSC north play.