Falcons Drop the Ball, 84-66

There are so many excuses that Crescenta Valley can make to explain its embarrassing loss to Pasadena Jan. 25 at Hamilton Gymnasium.

Perhaps the Falcons should focus on rebounding. Pasadena had more offensive rebounds than Crescenta Valley had in total rebounds.

Or the Falcons could have focused on free-throw shooting. Crescenta Valley made it to the free-throw line 37 times, but only converted 21 times.

Crescenta Valley may also blame turnovers. For the game, they had 15, many of which turned into points for Pasadena.

If that was not enough, containing Keion Bell could have helped, as well. Bell was a one-man act, leading the Bulldogs with 35 points and six rebounds, as Pasadena outlasted Crescenta Valley, 84-66, to complete the season sweep against a Pacific League rival.

“They absolutely killed us on the offensive glass,” said Crescenta Valley coach Shawn Zargarian. “Between that and us giving up 84 points, that was the highest point total we’ve given up all year.”

With the win, Pasadena (17-5, 9-1) extended its winning streak to six. The Falcons lost for the second time in three game to fall to 15-8 (6-4).

“They had about 600 people and it felt like they were right in your face,” Bell said of the Jan. 7 road victory over the Falcons at Crescenta Valley. “But here, we knew what they were capable of doing and we were prepared, and that’s how you get the 20-point lead.”

Bell paced the Bulldogs early on, as he scored 14 first quarter points to lead Pasadena to a 26-14 lead at the first break.

In the first quarter, Crescenta Valley scored on its first possession to take a 2-0 lead – the only lead the Falcons ever had. Pasadena responded with an 11-1 run.

The Falcons tried to fight back, going on a brief 7-2 run to cut the Pasadena lead to 13-10. Yet Pasadena responded with an 8-0 run to regain momentum and eventually stretch the quarter lead to 12.

With Bell resting most of the second quarter, the Falcons tried to stay close, outscoring the Bulldogs 17-15 in the quarter to trail 41-31 at the half.

Yet Bell came out storming in the third quarter. He sparked an 8-0 run to start the second half to give Pasadena a 49-31 lead. Coach Zargarian said this was an important juncture in the game.

“The key to the game was the first minute of the second half when they went on an 8-0 run and extended that 10-point lead to 18,” he said. “To recover from an 18-point deficit against them is tough.”