The Cougars (1-5) had lost their first four games by an average of 16.5 points per game. Playing in a venue that many of the Glendale Adventist athletes have seen on television numerous times, the Cougars showed some grit. However, many of the same mistakes cost them dearly Monday.
Glendale Adventist owned a 48-44 lead with 3:47 left in the contest before Redlands Adventist (5-3) took control by closing out on a 10-6 run.
“It’s been real frustrating because we have played some good teams,” McCloskey said. “Our guys came out [Monday] and played great, and we had control of the game going into the last four minutes.
“I think part of it was that we ran out of gas. We were playing on a court that’s 94 feet, compared to the 84 we are used to. I thought we played better.”
Redlands Adventist took a 51-49 lead on a layup by guard Kyle Rice with 1:41 remaining. The Cougars had two opportunities to tie or take the lead, but couldn’t convert. With nine seconds left, the Cougars had possession before a scrum ensued near the Redlands Adventist Academy basket. A jump ball was called with the Bulldogs taking over with four seconds left.
Glendale Adventist fouled Zach McCarthy, who then made both foul shots to make it 55-51 with 2.5 seconds remaining. Glendale Adventist junior forward Ghassan Abdul-Karim then made a three-pointer at the buzzer.
“We came out with a tempo, but then it just got away from us [in the fourth quarter],” said Ghassan Abdul-Karim, who finished with a team-high 15 points. “We didn’t box out again in the fourth quarter.
“It’s a big boost that we were able to hang with a team like that. We just have to get more physical.”
The Cougars held a 25-18 halftime lead. Senior forward Brandon Lewis made a long jump shot with 1:32 left in the first half to give the Cougars a 25-16 lead, their biggest of the contest. Lewis finished the contest with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
