Moorpark College defeats Santa Barbara Community College 79-46 this past Saturday at Raider Pavilion.

Moorpark came out shooting lights out in the first 5 minutes of the game as they started a 15-3 run. The Raiders were led by Jeremiah Gray who came out on fire in the first half with 20 points, converting 6 3 pointers. The Raiders had everything going for them in the first half as they were getting open shots from the corner 3 point line. Midway through the game Moorpark led 20-7, but the team’s energy got much higher as Austin Howell and Jerrel Harris came into the game and gave the Raiders an even bigger spark. Austin Howell’s defensive and offensive presence was felt as he grabbed all rebounds in sight and blocked any Santa Barbara player driving to the rim. Moorpark’s Jerrel Harris would drive into the paint and kick it out to an open Jeremiah Gray. Moorpark went into the half leading 38-15 as the Raiders looked to keep up their defensive pressure and excellent ball movement.

“We moved the ball well,” said Moorpark head coach Gerred Link. “When we got stops it’s hard for them to settle into their defense. But defensively we did good not fouling, we did a good job making shots.”

Moorpark didn’t start the second half as efficient as they did the first. Santa Barbara kept feeding the ball to center Thomas Walker who finished with 18 points. Santa Barbara started to pick up their defensive pressure as they were trying to get back into the game. Midway through the second half Moorpark led 52-28. Then with 5:20 remaining Moorpark’s Shaquille Moore stole the ball at midcourt and finished in with a dunk. After the dunk the Raiders intensity rose as they got defensive stops and open shots. The Raiders won convincingly 79-46, led by Jeremiah Gray’s 21 points, Austin Howell who had 17 points, 15 rebounds, 2 blocks and Shaquille Moore who had 9 points, 4 assists, and 8 rebounds.

“First half we played really well defensively,” said Moorpark’s Jeremiah Gray. “But in the second half we had a lapse but we played pretty well.”

Moorpark is now 5-4 in WSC and will play Oxnard College on Wednesday Feb. 11, at 5 p.m.