JC game scores from Thursday night

Below are the Thursday scores from matchups involving northern California JC teams:

* College of Marin 78 - Yuba College 73

From the MIJ:

The College of Marin men's basketball team faced arguably its toughest task in conference play, hosting Yuba on Thursday night.

Five Mariners scored nine or more points and COM was able to protect its lead throughout the second half to hand Yuba its first conference loss of the season, 78-73.

"This was our most important win (of the season)," COM coach Dave Granucci said. "If you want to win the league, Yuba is the team you have to beat. They've won it eight or nine years in a row. If you want to win this thing, it goes through them. Yuba is kind of the cream of the crop. They're what were striving for as far as the top dog and who we want to beat to get what we want."

George Johnson lead the way for COM (16-3, 7-1 Bay Valley Conference) with 17 points. Pierre Carter added 13 while Luke Chavez, Brandon Kenilvort and Willie Rooks each scored nine against Yuba (10-7, 7-1).

"We pretty much maintained led throughout the game," Granucci said. "We got off to a really good start with our energy and effort. The group we usually start has at times got off to slow starts but we got off to a great start shooting the ball well and defending as well."

From the Appeal- Democrat:

The Yuba College men's basketball team was out-hustled and out-shot by a hungry College of Marin team in a 78-73 loss on Thursday in Kentfield.

The Mariners pulled into a tie atop the Bay Valley Conference standings with the 49ers, both teams are 7-1, and were in control throughout. Two 3-pointers in the final 15 seconds by Yuba made the game look closer than it was, 49ers coach Doug Cornelius said.

Yuba (10-7 overall) entered the week ranked No. 4 in Northern California in the California Community Colleges Men's Basketball Coaches Association poll and toppled No. 3 Merritt on Tuesday. Marin (16-3) was ranked No. 10 in Northern California with their only conference loss in overtime to Merritt.

"(Marin) knew they had to beat us or we'd have a two-game lead, and they played like it," Cornelius said.

Barry Ogalue paced the 49ers with 17 points, Vasilje Saraba netted 16 points and Jojo Zamora added 15 points.

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* Solano College 82 - Mendocino College 70

Marcus Lomtong game reports as Solano's Donovan (Inderkum High) Smith went for 30 points plus 11 boards and Koree (Benecia High) Cox 21 and seven.

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* Merritt College 73 - Los Medanos College 64

For MC, D.J. )Pittsburg High) Kennedy scored 23 points (five treys) with Jovontae (El Camino High) Carleton tallying 21.

For LMC, Wayne (Heritage High) Englestad totaled 34 points (10 treys).

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* Contra Costa College 63 - Napa Valley College 55

From CCC Men's Basketball:

"The Comets rallied late in the 2nd half to defeat Napa College in a hard fought contest. The Comets spent most of the game trailing, not taking their first lead until 15 minutes into the 2nd half. G Tajai Johnson led the Comets with 16 pts, 8 rebs, and 6 stls. F Justin Johnson added 15 pts, 4 reb, and 3 stls, and G Jebraile Newkirk 12 pts and 3 reb. The Comets now stand at 9-9 overall, with a 6-2 Bay Valley Conference record at the halfway point of the regular season..."