Comets outlast Jags in double OT win

SAN MARCOS, CA (2/14/2024) -- Palomar College and Southwestern College faced off Wednesday night in the Dome with a potential playoff spot on the line. The two teams battled it out in regulation, but it wasn't enough as the two went to overtime. In the end, the Comets prevailed 105-102 in double overtime to move to 7-6 in conference play and 12-13 overall.

Spivey Word has been all gas for Palomar this season and his 38-point performance helped life the Comets Wednesday night. Thomas Marcus also stuffed his stat line with 24 points, eight rebounds, four assists and four steals, showing off what can happen when these two are on. Freshman forward Life Wade got his first start of the season and made the most of it with four blocks on the night to go along with four rebounds and two points. 

While those three stood out through the entire game, the spotlight was on sophomores Jaden Mathis and Beni Mokili. Mathis hit the go-ahead trey off an assist from Mokili with 29 seconds remaining in the second overtime. Southwestern then went down and made a layup to tie it back up at 102 with 22 seconds left. Mokili then caught a pass from Marcus to hit the three ball with five seconds left to send the Comet Crazies into a frenzy. Southwestern immediately called a timeout and came out with the opportunity to tie the game at the buzzer, but missed to give the Comets the win. 

The Jaguars had a 4-point lead at the half, but the Comets have proven over and over again this season they are a second halftime. Palomar outscored them 46-42 in the second. The Comets had a 3-point lead with seconds to go in the game, but a failed attempt at a defensive rebound allowed Southwestern to hit a buzzer-beater trey to send the game to overtime.

The Comets will continue PCAC play on Friday with a road game against San Diego Mesa College. Game time is scheduled for 5 p.m.