Dragons outlast MC

Northern California's marquee boy's basketball matchup between No. 2 ranked Bishop O'Dowd and No. 4 Modesto Christian, was a tightly contested game for three quarters but the Dragons pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 71-62 victory Saturday night in Modesto. The win gives O'Dowd a (21-3) record on the season and extends their win streak to 13 games heading into the final week of the regular season.

The game was tightly officiated and consequently saw both teams top players get into early foul trouble, but despite the early fouls, O'Dowd's 6-foot-9 sophomore sensation Ivan Rabb strutted his dominance in the paint, blocking numerous shots and altering others on his way to a game high 22 points.

O'Dowd took control of the game early in the first quarter with an 8-0 run but the Crusaders closed the lead to 15-11. In the second quarter, led by an offensive scoring display from sixth man Mason Washington, the Crusaders took a 24-17 lead after an 11-0 run of their own. Washington finished the quarter with 10 points including a pair of three point field goals and a crowd pleasing dunk. The Dragons battled back with tenacious offensive rebounding that allowed for second chance opportunities which was highlighted by a ferocious Rabb throw down dunk. O'Dowd went to intermission with a 31-30 lead.

The third quarter saw the Crusaders take an early lead, led by a rejuvinated Raymond Bowles, but that quickly changed when Bowles picked up his third foul with 5:10 remaining in the quarter and he was relegated to the bench. O'Dowd senior Dominic Gomes sparked the Dragons offensively with attacking drives to the basket as they finished the period with a 49-46 lead.

The game was essentially decided with a 12-1, O'Dowd run to begin the fourth quarter which gave them a comfortable 61-47 lead. The Crusaders were unable to make a serious run at the Dragons who continued to dominate the boards and closed out the game with a 71-62 triumph. The loss dropped Modesto Christian to a record of 23-3 on the season.