Knights Clinch Share of PCAC Title!

The first-place Knights (21-5 overall, 13-1 PCAC) secured at least a share of the PCAC championship after getting a 63-41 home win over the second place MiraCosta Spartans (18-8, 11-3 PCAC). It was the Knights' eighth straight win as they moved two games ahead of MiraCosta and Southwestern with two games remaining.

Junior Camacho led the Knights with 15 points, a season-high 13 rebounds, and three steals. 

Kenny Gonzalez also put up 15 points with four rebounds, two assists and two steals. 

Marley Gonzalez had eight points and eight rebounds, while Logan Huston added 12 points and three rebounds. 

San Diego City, which never trailed on Friday night, scored the first seven points of the game on a Camacho layup followed by a Camacho steal and 3-pointer. Kenny Gonzalez then hit a jumper to give City the kind of start they were looking for in this all-important game.

The Knights were hot from beyond the 3-point arc in the first half as they made five of their first six attempts. Kenny Gonzalez and Cameron Marshall each hit two a piece to help City go ahead by as many as 11 in the first half. 

With San Diego City ahead by 12 with 12:48 left in the second half, Huston and Kenny Gonzalez nailed back-to-back 3s to push the lead up to 18. Huston added a layup and Camacho converted two free throws to make it a 10-0 run as the Knights grabbed their largest lead of the game, 51-29, with 10:15 remaining. 

MiraCosta did cut City's lead down to 14 with 7:32 left, but Reid Celestin hit a 3 on the Knights' next possession that effectively ended the Spartans' run.

MiraCosta only scored two more points the rest of the game as City's defense, which allows only 59.9 points per game (No. 1 in the state), held the Spartans to 25% shooting in the second half and 31.7% for the game. 

By clinching at least a share of the conference title, the Knights have now claimed the top spot in the PCAC two years in a row and three times in the last four seasons. 

It is their 10th conference title since 2005 and ninth under head coach Mitch Charlens. 

"So proud of the staff and players for their hard work and sacrifice," said Charlens. "Our work is not done. We don't like to share."

The Knights will need to win one of their two remaining games to clinch the outright title, but they will be against two tough opponents. 

Their first opportunity to clinch will be on Wednesday at Southwestern at 5 p.m. The Jaguars (18-8, 11-3 PCAC) are tied for second place with MiraCosta and also have a chance to win a share of the conference championship. 

The Knights will then close the PCAC season at home on Friday, Feb. 21 against the Palomar Comets (17-9, 10-4 PCAC) at 5 p.m.