All the momentum from a 13-0 run seemed to be gone for Lathrop late in its Western Athletic Conference clash with visiting Ceres on Monday.
Ceres sharpshooter Manuel Ortega was showing no signs of cooling off, and freshman Carey Mastin made five of six free throws after a Lathrop starter was ejected with two technical after disputing a foul.
The Spartans held Ceres without a point for the final 3 minutes, 55 seconds of the game, and they are rejuvenated after surging to the much-needed 66-59 upset win.
Lathrop (4-4 WAC, 6-14 overall), which has won two straight for just the season time, has put itself in the hunt for one of three playoff berths with six league games remaining.
Second-place Ceres (6-2, 13-8) also had trouble putting them away in a 75-72 close call three weeks ago, but this time the Bulldogs could not seal it.
“It means a lot,” Lathrop center Raymond Carson said. “We started off league kind of rough, but this is the start of the second cycle of league and we’re coming different.
“We’re just playing together, that’s really what it was. Last time, we were playing selfish, but this time around we played like a team and succeeded.”
The 6-foot-5 senior paced the Spartans with 22 points, which included a put-back dunk and a fast-break slam. Robert Ellis added a season-high 18 points and three steals, and Reniel Crisostomo compiled 16 points, eight rebounds and three assists.
Ortega made seven 3-pointers and led Ceres with 25 points. Mastin finished with nine points, eight assists and three steals.
Crisostomo capped Lathrop’s 13-0 surge with a 3-pointer from the right wing, giving the Spartans a 50-44 lead 40 seconds into the final period.
Ceres countered with a 15-4 flurry in which Ortega scored eight straight points including two 3s.
The tide could have completely turned in the Bulldogs favor after the Lathrop player earned the ejection, as they led 59-54 following Mastin’s free throws.
Ceres was shut out the rest of the way, as Lathrop scored the final 12 points. Ellis powered the finishing blow, scoring seven consecutive points. Crisostomo found Ellis open under the hoop for an easy lay-in that knotted the score at 59-59.
The Spartans took the lead for good with 1:50 after Ellis completed a conventional three-point play, and he later forced a turnover and took it the other way for an uncontested, breakaway layup.
“It changed all of our energy once we were able to tie it back up,” Ellis said. “The foot was on the pedal, and we weren’t going to stop.”
Ceres led for most of the first half and by as much as nine, 37-28, in the third quarter.
Lathrop changed the game by going to a full-court press and taking better care of the ball. After committing seven turnovers to Ceres’ five in the first half, the Spartans had just four giveaways in the second half while forcing 14.
“A lot of our losses have come due to poor ball handling, poor passes and decision making, stuff like that,” Hong said. “With their pressure, the 2-3 (zone defense) with the traps on the corners and on the sidelines, we knew that this is going to have to be one of our top priorities, in terms of taking care of the basketball.
“Not only did the guards take care of the basketball, but so did the bigs in the high-low action. The passing was probably the best we’ve had all season.”
Hong added that after two months of tinkering, players have finally settled into their roles. And now, the reigning WAC champion is hopeful to make a run at another postseason appearance.
“The door is not shut yet,” Hong said.
Junior varsity
Lathrop 56, Ceres 36
Landen Nolte scored 13 points, as the Spartans raced away in the second half for the blowout victory.
Carson Scott contributed 10 points and eight rebounds. A.J. Patel had nine points.
Freshman
Lathrop 59, Ceres 21
Bryan Gamboa amassed 20 points, seven steals and five assists for the Spartans.
Jayden Davidson chipped in 12 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks. Adrian Vaye had seven points, seven steals, five assists and five rebounds. Sayed Hadi grabbed 11 boards to go with five points.
