TORRANCE, Calif. (Interstat) — In a chaotic and turnover-plagued men’s junior college basketball game Friday night, El Camino College survived a furious second-half rally from Los Angeles Trade Tech to secure a 71-68 victory.

The game, organized by the California Community College Athletic Association, was defined by two starkly contrasting styles. The visiting Beavers of Los Angeles Trade Tech employed relentless defensive pressure, forcing the Warriors into 24 turnovers and converting those into 14 steals. Meanwhile, the host Warriors of El Camino relied on efficient shooting and a formidable interior defense, blocking eight shots and shooting a blistering 60 percent from the three-point line.

El Camino built its lead through precision offense in the first half, taking a 35-38 advantage into the break behind hot shooting from Rocco Gaffoglio. The Warriors extended their lead early in the second quarter, at one point holding a 15-point margin. However, the Beavers’ pressure began to take a cumulative toll. A series of Warriors turnovers fueled a sustained Los Angeles Trade Tech run, culminating in a Jordan Webster layup with 19 seconds remaining that cut the El Camino lead to a single point at 69-68.

The most critical sequence of the game followed immediately. On the ensuing inbounds play, El Camino’s Gaffoglio was fouled and sent to the free-throw line with 14 seconds left. The guard, who finished with a team-high 21 points, calmly sank both free throws to push the lead back to three points. Los Angeles Trade Tech’s final attempt to tie, a three-point shot by Johnathan Gomez as time expired, missed its mark, allowing El Camino to escape.

Despite the loss, the Beavers dominated several statistical categories. They out-assisted the Warriors 14-4, grabbed 16 offensive rebounds to El Camino’s six, and committed only seven turnovers. Their downfall was shooting; they made just 4 of 27 attempts from three-point range and shot 34.8 percent overall from the floor.

El Camino was led by Justin Cricri, who posted 10 points, 11 rebounds and seven blocks in a dominant defensive performance. Gaffoglio’s 21 points were crucial, with Linken Tate adding 12 points and five assists. For Los Angeles Trade Tech, Franklyn Chambers led all scorers with 16 points, while Will Smith III added 14 points and seven rebounds.

The win improves El Camino’s season record to 10-7, while Los Angeles Trade Tech falls to 6-10. According to Interstat’s ELO system, the Beavers had been projected with a 61 percent probability to win.

El Camino next plays at East Los Angeles on Wednesday. Los Angeles Trade Tech will host Compton on the same night.