(Interstat) — In a game defined by a dominant first-half performance and a resilient second-half push from the home team, the San Bernardino Valley Wolverines defeated the Cerro Coso Coyotes 77-67 in a men’s junior college basketball game Wednesday night.

The Wolverines, improving to 22-5 overall, seized control from the opening tip and never trailed, leveraging a significant rebounding advantage and a standout individual performance to secure the road victory. The Coyotes fell to 7-17 despite a prolific night from beyond the three-point arc.

The most important segment of the game was the opening quarter, where San Bernardino Valley established a commanding lead that Cerro Coso spent the remainder of the contest unsuccessfully trying to overcome. The Wolverines raced to a 34-27 lead after the first period, a margin built not on hot shooting but on relentless effort on the glass and second-chance opportunities. San Bernardino Valley finished the game with a 44-32 rebounding edge, including a crucial 14-5 advantage on the offensive boards. This early work created separation and forced Cerro Coso into a chasing posture for the final 30 minutes.

Duante Murphy was the top star for San Bernardino Valley, delivering a comprehensive performance with 26 points, 15 rebounds, six assists and two blocks in 35 minutes. His interior presence anchored the Wolverines on both ends of the floor. Lincoln Liggins added 16 points and seven rebounds, while Stanley Thomas III contributed 11 points off the bench.

Cerro Coso, which shot 13 for 35 from three-point range compared to San Bernardino Valley’s 6 for 21, was led by Demarris Day’s 21 points and six assists. Marc Vincent added 12 points, and Lance Bailey Jr. scored 10. The Coyotes’ reliance on the perimeter shot kept them within striking distance but ultimately could not compensate for the Wolverines’ interior dominance and the early deficit.

The game’s narrative was one of San Bernardino Valley’s sustained first-half efficiency against Cerro Coso’s volatile bursts. After taking a seven-point lead into the second quarter, the Wolverines extended it, eventually building a cushion that reached 20 points. The Coyotes mounted a characteristic rally, using a flurry of three-pointers to cut the lead to single digits in the final minutes. A three-pointer by Day with 1:25 remaining brought Cerro Coso to within 67-64, marking the closest the game had been since the first quarter.

However, San Bernardino Valley responded with composure. Murphy scored on a driving layup on the ensuing possession to push the lead back to five. Following a Cerro Coso miss, the Wolverines managed the clock and secured the victory from the free-throw line, holding the Coyotes scoreless after Day’s three-pointer. Cerro Coso’s comeback attempt was hampered by 14 turnovers, which San Bernardino Valley converted into nine steals.

The victory was in line with statistical expectations, as Interstat’s ELO system had projected San Bernardino Valley with a 93.80 percent probability to win. It also completed a regular-season sweep for the Wolverines, who defeated Cerro Coso 72-62 on Jan. 17.

San Bernardino Valley will look to continue its strong form when it hosts Palo Verde on Friday. Cerro Coso will aim to rebound on the same night with a road game at Barstow.