The Los Medanos College Mustangs wrapped up their 2024-2025 basketball season Feb. 20 with a well-earned 75-67 victory over the Merritt College Black Panthers in Oakland in the Merritt College Gymnasium.
The game was an intense battle from start to finish, defined by fast-paced action, aggressive physicality, and a few controversial referee calls that added to the drama. Both teams fought hard, exchanging baskets throughout the contest, but the Mustangs ultimately proved to be the superior team, successfully navigating Merritt’s suffocating man-to-man defense to pull off the win.
A major key to Los Medanos’ victory was the stellar performance of freshman guard Victor Montez, who dominated offensively with an impressive 29-point outing. Montez set the tone early, draining three to four three-pointers in the first half alone, helping the Mustangs establish a solid 42-30 lead heading into halftime. His hot shooting stretched Merritt’s defense and forced them to adjust their game plan. Despite the pressure, Montez remained poised, telling his teammates, “Just keep playing our game,” demonstrating both his confidence and leadership. He knew that if Merritt had any chance of staging a comeback, they would have to find a way to slow him down.
As the second half began, the Panthers came out with renewed intensity, immediately scoring within the first minute and ramping up their defensive pressure. Their aggressive approach momentarily startled the Mustangs, forcing them into a back-and-forth exchange of baskets.
However, while Merritt made a concerted effort to limit Montez’s scoring, this defensive focus opened up opportunities for other Los Medanos players to step up and make an impact. The Mustangs showcased their depth, as multiple players contributed on both ends of the floor.
One of the standout performers was freshman guard Trevon O’Neal, who played a crucial role in the Mustangs’ offensive execution. While his scoring numbers were modest—finishing with 9 points—his overall contribution was invaluable. O’Neal controlled the pace of the game and facilitated the offense masterfully, racking up an impressive 12 assists. His ability to create plays and distribute the ball allowed Los Medanos to capitalize on their offensive possessions, consistently passing up good shots for great ones. Additionally, O’Neal made his presence felt on defense, tallying 5 rebounds and 3 steals to help disrupt Merritt’s offensive rhythm.
Despite strong individual efforts from Merritt College’s Eric Watson and Thomas Girma, who worked tirelessly to close the scoring gap, Los Medanos always had an answer.
The Mustangs displayed resilience and composure, never allowing Merritt to fully seize momentum. Even though the Panthers outscored them in the second half, it wasn’t enough to erase the deficit, as Los Medanos continued to make timely plays on both offense and defense.
The battle on the boards was another crucial factor in the outcome of the game. Merritt College fought hard on the glass, securing a total of 39 rebounds, but Los Medanos held a slight edge, finishing with 41.
A major contributor in this area was sophomore center Tochi Onyeador, who had a dominant rebounding performance. Onyeador controlled the paint, grabbing 15 rebounds—11 defensive and 4 offensive—while also adding 10 points to complete his double-double. His efforts were instrumental in limiting second-chance opportunities for Merritt and giving the Mustangs extra possessions.
Another key contributor was freshman guard Jacob Hodges, who played a vital role in Los Medanos’ balanced attack. With Merritt’s defense locked in on stopping Montez, Hodges capitalized on his opportunities, finishing as the team’s second-leading scorer with 12 points. In addition to his scoring, he provided an all-around effort with 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal. Merritt struggled to contain him, as he consistently found ways to make an impact.
In the end, the Mustangs’ depth, teamwork, and ability to adapt to Merritt’s defensive adjustments secured the victory. They closed out their season on a high note, establishing their record to a final 15-13 proving their resilience and determination in a tough, well-contested battle throughout this whole season.
