Pirates drop crucial conference game at Sequoias

In a game with possible postseason implications, Porterville College couldn't hold a late second-half lead and suffered a 66-62 Central Valley Conference loss at College of the Sequoias on Wednesday.

Porterville entered the contest just a half game behind third-place Sequoias in the CVC standings. But with tonight's loss, the Pirates fell to 7-4 and 12-10 overall.

The Pirates held a slim 33-28 lead at the break, setting up a back and forth second half. PC was up 52-50 at the 8:24 mark before Sequoias put together a 7-3 run to go ahead 59-55 with three minutes to play.

Da'Morea Green sank a pair of clutch free throws and Tayshawun Bradford nailed a huge three-pointer with 1:57 on the clock to put PC back out in front, 60-59. But COS' Jarrell Holmes made 1 of 2 free throws to tie the game and Dwayne Holmes hit a three-pointer with 37 seconds left that proved to be the game-winner.

Dominic King led Porterville with 16 points and 4 assists. Elijah Cardenas was the only other Pirate to score in double figures, putting up 11 points while grabbing 5 rebounds. Green and Bradford also chipped in with 9 points each.

The Pirates return to action on Saturday (Feb. 9) when they host West Hills College Coalinga in a 6 p.m. Central Valley Conference game.