The MSJC men's basketball team went back and forth with Chaffey College on Saturday afternoon, but a rough stretch at the end of the first half proved to be the difference as they lost on the road 71-54.
After a highly competitive first 18 minutes on Saturday Danilo Da Silva connected on a three pointer for MSJC to cut Chaffey's lead to 28-25 with just over two minutes to play before halftime. From there the Panthers went on an 8-0 run to close the half, building the lead at intermission to 36-25 as they seized momentum in the game. Chaffey would continue their run by scoring the first 4 points of the second half to put the Eagles in chase mode the rest of the game. The Eagles were able to cut the lead to 10 on a pair of free throws by Jamaal Barnes with 8:10 to play, but that would be as close as MSJC came in the second 20 minutes.
Kamien Cederlind ended the day with 14 points to lead MSJC on offense, the only other player to reach double figures was Barnes with 12. Jernard Jackson added 8 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists in the loss. Lenzell Simmons also had 8 points off the bench.
The loss moves the Eagles record on the season to 7-10 overall they are 3-2 in Inland Empire Athletic Conference play. Chaffey remained unbeaten in the conference with a 5-0 mark, they are 12-5 overall. MSJC will get another crack at an undefeated IEAC team on Wednesday when they host College of the Desert (12-4, 4-0). Wednesday's game is part of a doubleheader with the women's team, with the women's game starting at 5 pm and the men to follow at 7.