The MSJC men's basketball team built a solid early lead on Saturday and never looked back as they went on the road to defeat College of the Desert 99-82.

After a quick 15-15 start to the contest in the first seven minutes, a three point basket by BJ Brown ignited a 28 to 5 run that gave the Eagles a commanding 43-20 lead with just under six minutes to play in the opening half.  Desert closed the gap to 54-38 by halftime.  The Roadrunners did make a run early in the second half as they got within seven at 60-53 with 13:48 to play, but another MSJC run pushed the game back to a 20 point margin just a minute and a half later.  The Eagles were in control the rest of the way.

Dasean Stevens, Kyle Render, and Brown all finished the game with 20 points for the Eagles.  Cameron Durr added 13 and Alex Miller also reached double figures with 10.  Stevens also had a team high 8 rebounds and a game best 8 assists.

The win kept the Eagles in sole possession of second place in the Inland Empire Athletic Conference standings with a league record of 5-1 and an overall mark of 13-4, one game behind San Bernardino Valley.  The Eagles will be tested on Wednesday night as they host Chaffey in the second game of a men's and women's IEAC doubleheader.  The Panthers will come into the contest 13-5 overall and 4-2 in the conference.  Wednesday's women's game will tip at 5 pm with the men to follow at 7.