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The Lancer men’s basketball team eked out a victory over the Long Beach City College Vikings 74-70 on Jan. 30.

This win makes PCC 7-13 on the season with a 3-4 South Coast Conference record.

The Lancers started the game with a 7-0 lead which then alternated between teams before PCC finally took the lead with 4:43 left in the second half and held it until the final buzzer. PCC clung to a one-point lead for most of the game and was fortunate to hold the Vikings to 70 points.

“It was a good game and we were lucky to get out of it with a win,” said PCC Head Coach Mike Swanegan Sr. “If we just compete and fight until the end, we’ll win these games.”

The Lancers’ game plan was to play offense from inside out – get the big men involved and get them involved early. The Lancers were led by 6’6” sophomore forward Alec Tatum who had a double-double with a team-leading 16 points and 20 rebounds. PCC out-rebounded LBCC 57-46.

“We tried to work the ball inside because we knew that we had a size advantage,” Swanegan Sr. said.

PCC’s leading scorer sophomore guard Mike Swanegan Jr. finally regained his shooting confidence, accounting for 14 points and two successful three pointers. Swanegan Jr. has had a nagging wrist injury and had the wrist on his shooting side taped for the game.

“I’ve been in a slump for a while and having my wrist taped up took some getting used to,” Swanegan Jr. said. “Once I make that first three, I start to get more confident with my shot.”

The Lancers had to play without sophomore guard Evan Brooks or sophomore guard Chris Smith who were sidelined with injuries. Lancers trainer Alfonso Flores is feeling confident about his players’ near future.

“Evan [Brooks] tried to play but we thought it was best to keep him out for tonight’s game,” Flores said. “Swanegan [Jr.’s] wrist is getting better. Brooks is scheduled to play in our next game, and Smith is progressing well.”

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