Comets play state No. 10 Jaguars tough in home loss

SAN MARCOS (1/9/2018) – Behind big performances by Marek Sullivan and Jamario Harris, Palomar gave state No. 10-ranked Southwestern everything it could handle on Wednesday night in a Pacific Coast Athletic Conference cross-division game at The Dome before the Jaguars drew away in the closing minutes to win 80-64.

Sullivan (Torrey Pines High, Cal Poly SLO) finished with a game-high 21 points, going 7-for-14 from the field, dropping in three 3-pointers and going 4-for-4 from the free throw line with 8 rebounds, a steal and a blocked shot.

Harris (Temecula Great Oak High) scored 18, going 8-for-16 from the floor with 11 rebounds and an assist but spent the closing minutes in foul trouble.

The Jaguars, coming off a road victory over state No. 4-ranked Mt. San Jacinto, got as close as 51-50 on a bucket by Anthony Smith (Vista Murrieta) with 13:13 to play before Southwestern began to inch away. The Comets remained within striking distance until the final five minutes.

Anthony Routh (Murrieta Valley High) also scored in double figures with 12 points, adding 2 rebounds, an assist and 3 steals. Michael Chatman (El Camino High) contributed 5 rebounds, 2 assists and a 4-for-4 night at the free throw stripe.

The Jaguars put five players in double figures, led by Marquavian Stephens with 19 points.

Palomar trailed by only three points at the half 41-38 and kept it close until the last 10 minutes.

The Comets will host Grossmont College in another PCAC cross-division game on Friday at 6 p.m. in the Dome. Cross-division games count as non-conference games.