SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (Interstat) — The San Bernardino Valley Wolverines used a dominant second-half performance and a significant advantage at the free-throw line to secure their first victory of the season, defeating the Compton Tartars 92-82 in a California men’s junior college basketball game on Friday.

The game was a tale of two halves, with both teams locked in a high-scoring, back-and-forth battle before halftime. The teams were tied at 36 after a frenetic first quarter, but the Wolverines seized control after the break, outscoring the Tartars 56-46 in the second half.

Stanley Thomas III led all scorers with a commanding 30-point performance for San Bernardino Valley, adding nine rebounds. He was instrumental in the second-half surge, consistently getting to the rim and drawing fouls. Jaden Riley orchestrated the Wolverines’ offense with a double-double, dishing out 12 assists and scoring 17 points to go with seven rebounds. Lincoln Liggins also provided a significant boost off the bench, contributing 13 points and seven rebounds.

For Compton, Ley McGovern paced the offense with 23 points and seven rebounds, while Nathan Ibarra added 20 points, five rebounds and six assists. Deuce Roberts chipped in 16 points.

Despite the final score, the game was statistically close in several categories. Both teams made 25 field goals, with San Bernardino Valley holding a slight edge in shooting percentage, 43.1% to 41.7%. The Wolverines were more efficient from beyond the arc, connecting on 9 of 22 attempts compared to Compton’s 7 of 27.

The decisive factor was San Bernardino Valley’s relentless attack and Compton’s foul trouble. The Wolverines attempted 47 free throws, making 33, while the Tartars went to the line 33 times, converting 25. Compton was whistled for 31 personal fouls, leading to a parade of San Bernardino Valley players at the charity stripe throughout the second half.

San Bernardino Valley also won the battle on the glass, outrebounding Compton 44-34, which included a 10-6 edge in offensive rebounds. Both teams were active defensively, with each registering a dozen steals, but Compton’s 18 turnovers proved more costly.

The victory improves San Bernardino Valley’s record to 1-2 overall. The loss drops Compton to 1-4 on the young season. Both teams are scheduled to return to the court on Saturday, with San Bernardino Valley hosting Moorpark and Compton facing West Los Angeles at home.