Comets Claim Third Place at Grossmont Invitational with Victory Over Porterville

EL CAJON, CA (12/8/2024) -- The Palomar College men's basketball team capped off the Grossmont College Invitational with a thrilling 78-74 victory over Porterville College on Sunday afternoon, securing the tournament's third-place trophy. The Comets relied on clutch shooting and strong teamwork to fend off a late Porterville rally and finish the weekend on a high note.

Max Zylicz stole the show with a season-high 22 points, draining six three-pointers and hitting key free throws down the stretch. Guard Isaiah Tolmaire added a dynamic 20-point performance, shooting an efficient 7-for-11 from the field while chipping in three rebounds and two steals.

Jaidyn Norman continued his strong play, contributing 16 points and six rebounds while shooting 3-for-6 from beyond the arc. Dylan Kail provided valuable offensive support with 10 points, including two three-pointers, and Matin Madadkar grabbed eight rebounds and added five points, helping control the boards.

Palomar built a strong 42-31 lead at halftime, thanks to their sharp shooting, including 45.5% from three-point range. The Comets kept their composure in the second half, despite Porterville's late push, and finished the game shooting 42.9% from deep and 77.8% from the free-throw line. The defense also forced 10 turnovers and limited second-chance opportunities, winning the battle of second-chance points 13-6.

With the win, Palomar improves to 5-5 on the season. The Comets now turn their focus to hosting Orange Coast College in the Dome on Friday night, where they'll look to carry this momentum into another key matchup.