LOS ANGELES (Interstat) — Deng Lual scored 21 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, and the Los Angeles Valley Monarchs survived a three-point barrage from Barstow to edge the Vikings 69-67 in a men’s junior college basketball game on Friday night.

The Monarchs improved to 5-4 overall, while Barstow fell to 3-7.

The most important part of the game unfolded in the final two minutes, transforming a back-and-forth contest into a narrow escape for the home team. With the score tied at 67, Barstow’s Princeton Green fouled Los Angeles Valley’s Gionn Swann with 2:09 remaining. Swann calmly sank both free throws to put the Monarchs ahead for good at 69-67.

Barstow had multiple opportunities to tie or take the lead in the closing moments but could not convert. Asher Smith missed a three-pointer with 1:51 left. After a Los Angeles Valley timeout, the Monarchs’ Matthew Monroy missed a three-point attempt, but Barstow’s Peter Oguama answered with a missed three of his own. The Vikings forced a missed jumper by Will Young with 33 seconds left and gained possession, but a foul by Kamari Stanfill and another by Smith in the final 25 seconds allowed Los Angeles Valley to run down the clock. Smith’s desperation three-point attempt at the buzzer was off target, sealing the Monarchs’ victory.

The game was a tale of contrasting offensive styles. Barstow relied heavily on the three-point shot, attempting 40 and making 15. Trestyne Nguru led the Vikings with 21 points, fueled by five three-pointers. Owen Bentea added 12 points, all from beyond the arc. However, the Vikings struggled inside, shooting just 23 of 64 overall from the floor.

Los Angeles Valley countered with efficiency in the paint, shooting 28 of 59 from the field. Lual’s double-double was pivotal, with many of his points coming on layups and close-range shots. Chris Kirk provided strong support with 10 points, six rebounds and three assists.

Despite Barstow’s perimeter success, Los Angeles Valley controlled the glass, outrebounding the Vikings 42-35. The Monarchs also dished out more assists, 7-4, and recorded more steals, 7-4, which helped offset their own 10 turnovers.

Barstow built an early lead behind its hot shooting, but Los Angeles Valley chipped away, trailing 42-30 after a first quarter that saw both teams trade baskets. The Monarchs’ consistent interior offense and a 39-25 advantage in the second quarter completed the comeback.

Lual’s performance marked a significant offensive breakout for the sophomore, whose recent games had been defined more by rebounding. His 21 points were a season high.

Barstow, coming off an overtime win at El Camino the previous night, continues its road trip at Santa Barbara on Saturday. Los Angeles Valley, which defeated Cuesta on Thursday, travels to face Cerritos, also on Saturday.

The game was organized by the California Community College Athletic Association. According to Interstat’s ELO system, Los Angeles Valley entered with a 72.5 percent probability to win.