PASADENA (Interstat) — Pasadena City built an early lead, withstood a late charge from the visiting Olympians and beat San Diego Mesa 74-69 on Thursday in a men’s junior college basketball game. The Lancers improved to 1-0, while San Diego Mesa fell to 0-1.

Pasadena City shot 27 of 64 from the floor, including 9 of 24 from 3-point range, and made 11 of 14 free throws. San Diego Mesa was 23 of 60 from the field, 8 of 23 from beyond the arc and 15 of 24 from the line. The Lancers scored 74 points on 70 possessions for an offensive rating of 106.2; San Diego Mesa scored 69 points on 75 possessions for a 91.5 rating. San Diego Mesa held a 45-39 rebounding advantage, including an 11-12 split on offensive rebounds, but committed 15 turnovers to Pasadena City’s 11. Pasadena City had four blocks, and both teams finished with eight assists. San Diego Mesa was whistled for 10 fouls and Pasadena City for 16.

Jeremiah McCaleb led all scorers with 25 points and added eight rebounds and three assists in 36 minutes for San Diego Mesa. Pasadena City’s JD Wyatt finished with 20 points, two rebounds and two assists in 34 minutes. Mohamed Abdisalan scored 16 points with four rebounds and two assists in 33 minutes for the Olympians. Gavin Hollins-Law contributed nine points, five rebounds, five assists and one block in 26 minutes for the Lancers, while teammate Desmond Every had 13 points, three rebounds and two assists in 26 minutes. Dejon Townsend added seven points, six rebounds and five assists in 22 minutes for Pasadena City. Odera Nwoso posted five points, four rebounds, one assist and one block in 22 minutes. Paris Lassiter had five points, four rebounds and one assist in 15 minutes. Jayden Doty scored five points with four rebounds and two assists in 27 minutes for San Diego Mesa, and Marcus Henderson Jr. had seven points and six rebounds in 20 minutes.

Dejon Townsend opened the scoring with a 3-pointer, and Marcus Henderson Jr. answered with a 3 for San Diego Mesa. I’ke Mitchell’s layup put Pasadena City ahead 7-3, and Jeremiah McCaleb’s 3-pointer and jump shot briefly gave the Olympians an 8-7 edge. The teams traded baskets and leads through an early 12-12 tie. Jaden Whitehead’s 3-pointer gave Pasadena City a 17-17 tie, and Desmond Every’s layup put the Lancers ahead 19-17. San Diego Mesa answered with Mohamed Abdisalan layups and a Jayden Doty layup to take a 23-19 lead. Pasadena City regained control with Odera Nwoso layups, Desmond Every 3-pointers and Jaden Whitehead’s second 3-pointer. Jeremiah McCaleb’s two 3-pointers late in the first quarter helped San Diego Mesa tie at 32, but JD Wyatt made two layups in the final 33 seconds to give Pasadena City a 36-32 lead.

Pasadena City opened the second quarter with a 9-0 run, capped by Paris Lassiter’s layup, to go ahead 45-32. San Diego Mesa chipped away behind McCaleb and Abdisalan. Jaxon Woods made three free throws, Shareef Krenbeh made two free throws and Mickelson Laguerre added two free throws as San Diego Mesa stayed within reach. McCaleb’s consecutive 3-pointers brought the Olympians within 66-65 with 1:48 remaining. Pasadena City answered immediately when JD Wyatt hit a 3-pointer, and Desmond Every added a layup for a 71-65 cushion. After the teams exchanged free throws, Abdisalan made a 3-pointer with 12 seconds left to set the final margin. McCaleb’s late shooting kept San Diego Mesa close, but Pasadena City’s response at the other end and its free-throw shooting in the final minute protected the lead.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Pasadena City 69, San Diego Mesa 65. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Pasadena City with a 64 percent probability to win.