Knights Open Season With Back-to-Back Wins

San Diego City, ranked No. 6 in Southern California, opened the 2022-23 campaign this weekend at Santa Monica's O'Fallon and Singui Classic and came away with a 95-56 blowout win over Compton and an 81-70 victory over Santa Monica to start the season at 2-0. The Knights had five players score in double figures in the win over Compton and had four players with at least 11 points in the road win over Santa Monica, including Lorenzo Wright who scored 31 total points in the two games.

The Knights scored the first eight points of the game against Compton on Friday and were ahead by 18 midway through the first half. The Knights shot 58.8% and held Compton to 33.3% shooting in that first half as the Knights built a 49-15 halftime lead with Anjay Cortez scoring 12 of his 15 points in that period. Al Green scored 10 of his game-high 20 points in the first half. 

City's lead grew to as many as 49 ponts late in the second half as they cruised to a 39-point win. Kevin Bradley, Jr. had 19 points and Wright provided 15 points and five assists. Anthony Howell added 10 points on 4-of-4 shooting.

The first half of Saturday's game against Santa Monica was tight with the Knights hanging on to a 38-36 halftime lead. City was still only up 42-40 with 17:07 left in the second half, but went on an 18-6 to take a 14-point lead and control of the game. The Knights maintained that double-digit lead through the final 10 minutes to earn the victory.

City converted 26-of-29 (89.7%) free throws and outscored Santa Monica, 25-8, on points off turnovers.

Wright led the way with 16 points and four steals off the bench. Cortez added 15 points, two rebounds, and two assists, while Kailen Rains contributed 13 points, three rebounds, and two steals. Howell had 11 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks. Green also scored 11 points.

The Knights have nearly two weeks off before their next game on Nov. 18 vs. Santa Barbara (7 p.m.) at Allan Hancock College's Home Motors Tournament. City will play San Jose at 3 p.m. on Nov. 19 and Allan Hancock at 3 p.m. on Nov. 20.