Comets win big behind Thomas's 33 points

SAN MARCOS, CA (1/26/2024) -- The Palomar Men's Basketball started out the second round of PCAC play with a 103-79 victory over the Cuyamaca College Coyotes on Friday night. 

The Comets, who fell to the Coyotes back in December, needed a big win and scoring 60 points in the second half is a big help. Palomar controlled the entire game, grabbing the lead right off the bat and never losing it, but the Coyotes bit back a few times to tie it up. In the end, behind freshman Thomas Marcus's 33 points, the Comets advanced to 9-12 on the season. 

Marcus led all scorers and finished with 11 rebounds, five assists, one steal and a block on the night. Spivey Word finished with 17 points, six assists, one steal and a block. Kryztian Waltona dn Jaden Mathis both finished with 14 points as Mathis went 4-8 beyond the arc. Walton finished with two blocks.

Despite all the high scoring, the team didn't care about that. Instead, they chose to focus on freshman Derek Clos who played the final two minutes of the game. He was fouled by a Coyote at the 3-point line and despite missing the shot, sank all three free throws for his first points as a Comet. He also recorded one assist.

Palomar moves to 4-5 in conference play and will host San Diego Miramar College on Wednesday night in the Dome for a 7 p.m. tip.