Basketball Recap: Braylen Centeno's Big Game Can't Quite Lead El Capitan over Golden Valley

El Capitan fought the good fight in their overtime contest against Golden Valley on Wednesday but wound up with a less-than-desirable result. They took a 66-58 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Golden Valley Cougars. The Gauchos were not able to repeat the success they had when they faced the Cougars earlier this season, when they won 60-52.

Several Gauchos players turned in solid performances despite ultimately coming up short. Perhaps the best among those players was Braylen Centeno, who went 10-for-19 en route to 19 points. The team also got some help courtesy of Elias Ruiz, who dropped a double-double with ten points and 12 rebounds.

Gauchos

Offensive Rebounds

02/12/25 vs Golden Valley	24
12/10/24 vs Livingston	18
12/03/24 @ Turlock	15
12/20/24 vs Pearl City	14
01/29/25 @ Los Banos	13

Even though they lost, El Capitan smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 24 offensive rebounds. That's the most offensive boards they've managed all season.

El Capitan has been struggling recently as they've lost three of their last four games, which has put a noticeable dent in their 16-10 record this season. As for Golden Valley, they pushed their record up to 21-6 with the victory, which was their sixth straight on the road.

Both squads are looking forward to the support of their home crowds in their upcoming games. El Capitan will square off against Los Banos at 7:15 p.m. on Friday. As for Golden Valley, they will face off against Merced at 7:15 p.m. on Friday. Merced will roll in looking for their fifth straight win, something Golden Valley surely won't give up without a fight.