COD Men’s Basketball erupts for 72 second-half points, cruises past Palo Verde 111–82

The College of the Desert men's basketball team delivered a historic offensive performance Saturday night, exploding for a program-record 72 points in the second half to secure a commanding 111–82 road victory over the Palo Verde Pirates.

COD (5–13, 2–4) caught fire after intermission, knocking down a season-high 13 three-pointers and turning a tight contest into a runaway win. The 72-point outburst marked the Roadrunners' highest single-half scoring total since at least prior to the 2012–13 season.

The win also marked a long-awaited milestone, as COD earned its first victory in Blythe since January 29, 2020. The Roadrunners' 13 made three-pointers were their most in a game since draining 14 from beyond the arc on February 21, 2024, at Cerro Coso.

Freshman guard Jayden Gonzalez (Indio H.S.) led the charge off the bench, pacing all scorers with a season-high 32 points while shooting an efficient 9-of-15 from three-point range. Gonzalez also led the team with four steals. His nine made three-pointers were the most by a Roadrunner since D.J. Adams accomplished the feat on December 21, 2021, against L.A. Valley in Palm Desert.

COD's starting lineup delivered a balanced effort, as three Roadrunner starters recorded double-doubles.

Freshman guard Jayse Creavalle (Palm Springs H.S.) notched his second consecutive double-double, finishing with 15 points on 5-of-10 shooting and 10 rebounds, including eight on the defensive end. Creavalle narrowly missed a triple-double, dishing out nine assists.

Sophomore guard De'miem King (Palm Springs H.S.) collected his fifth double-double of the season, posting 15 points and a season-high 16 rebounds, 11 defensive. King was nearly perfect from the free-throw line, going 6-of-7, and tied his season high with four blocked shots.

Freshman guard Payton Joseph (Beaumont H.S.) added his third double-double of the season, scoring 14 points on 7-of-12 shooting while pulling down 11 rebounds, seven defensive.

Off the bench, freshman forward Stephon Souvenir (Palm Springs H.S.) turned in one of his most efficient performances of the year, scoring 12 points on 5-of-6 shooting from the field.

The Roadrunners will remain on the road for their next contest before returning home on Wednesday, January 21 at 7 p.m., when COD hosts a tough Chaffey Panthers squad from Rancho Cucamonga.

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For additional information, please contact the COD Sports Information Office at 760.423.6641.

Information & Story provided by COD Sports Information. Photo by Dale Beck Photography.