Posted: Dec 09, 2019
By Tony Gonsalez
Special to Chabot College Athletics
Playing for the first time in two weeks, the Chabot men's basketball team overcame a slow start to pull away from visiting College of Marin for an 80-69 nonconference victory on Saturday evening, Dec. 7.
The Gladiators outscored the Mariners 33-22 in the final 11 minutes to turn a tie game into a double-digit victory to improve their record to 7-1.
Jabari Sweet had another outstanding game for the Gladiators, scoring a game-high 20 points while adding five rebounds, four steals and four blocked shots.
"He's done a tremendous job taking over the game when needed," Chabot second-year coach Keenan McMiller said of Sweet. "The way he controls the low post on the defensive end and constantly hitting jumpers off the dribble has been outstanding."
Akili Daniels was a huge presence for Chabot as well. Daniels scored six points, but it was the defensive side that stood out.
He pulled down eight rebounds to lead the Gladiators and also had three steals while harassing the Mariners guards all-game long.
"(Akili) Daniels showed how much of an impact he has been for us this season and tonight was a good example," McMiller said. "He doesn't put up mind-blowing numbers but the way he moves around out there is what we appreciate."
Chabot game out of the gate slowly with just one field goal in the first five minutes before a 9-0 run gave them a 23-19 lead with eight minutes left in the first half.
The Mariners (4-4) closed within a point before Japjit Gill and Sweet hit back-to-back jumpers as Chabot closed the first half with an 11-3 run to take a 37-28 halftime lead.
Isaiah Veal scored all 11 of his points in the first half, including a short jumper and a layup off a steal to keep the Gladiators close early on.
Marin came out blazing in the second half, opening with a 15-5 run to start the gave to retake the lead at 43-42.
Both teams traded leads before two free throws by Marin's Ethan Battistini knotted the score at 49-all with 10:38 remaining.
The Gladiators responded with a 16-7 run over the next seven minutes to retake a 65-56 lead. Sweet scored seven points during the run.
Marin would get no closer than seven the rest of the way as Chabot hit five straight free throws down the stretch.
Izayah Talmadge was also in double figures for the Gladiators with 12 points.
Franco Barefield led the Mariners with 18 points and Jalen Chandler added 14.
The Gladiators return to action on Thursday at American River at 6 p.m. Their next home game is Sunday, Dec. 15 against Columbia at 5 p.m.