The #1 ranked West Valley College Men's Basketball team completed a home sweep (4-0) before the Christmas break, defeating Cañada and Las Positas over the past week. The Vikings remain undefeated at home and in conference play, defending their #1 ranking.
The road warriors were back in action, battling against Chabot (9-2), who held their own throughout the game. West Valley picked up their 10th straight victory, defeating Chabot 77-66. This marks West Valley's sixth straight win on the road.
Viking big man Shakir Odunewu continued his sophomore season with yet another dominant night, posting a 22-point and 18-rebound double-double, his 10th straight double-digit scoring performance. Odunewu finished 6-for-16 from the field and 10-of-14 in free throw shooting, along with an assist and a pair of blocks. His monster 18 rebounds marked a game and season-high for West Valley. Odunewu was one of three Viking players to score in double figures in the winning effort.
Sophomore Forward Elijah Mahi had a big game, posting an efficient 19 points, eight rebounds, and one assist. Mahi shot 3-for-3 from the charity stripe, going 8-for-12 from the field. Jeremiah Dargan also chipped in, finishing with 17 points, 9 rebounds, two assists, and a block.
Ariya Briscoe (9 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal), Darrius Kendall (5 points, 1 rebound, and 2 steals), and Baron Bracey (5 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) all contributed to the Viking's win.
The game started with a dynamic effort from the starting group, giving WVC a 40-34 lead at the half. The Vikings led wire-to-wire while shooting 43.5 percent for the night from the field. They eventually grabbed a 6-point lead at the end of the first half and maintained the lead the rest of the night, holding off the Gladiators in a tight game on the road.
The Vikings will hit the road once again on Thursday (Dec. 14) to play in the three-day Triston Holiday Tournament. On the first day of the tournament, West Valley will go up against Merrit College at a 1 P.M. tip.