SANTA BARBARA, Calif.- Dominican men's basketball (16-10, 11-9) defeated the Warriors of Westmont College 67-61 Saturday afternoon giving the black and gold a big conference victory heading into the final week of the regular season. With two games left, the Pengs sit one game out of the six-team conference championship field that will take place March 5^th down in Point Loma.

Dominican started fast in this one Saturday afternoon against Westmont and didn't look back as they led the entire game. Every Penguin who got on the court against the Warriors scored five or more points as they did a great job of spreading the wealth. Seniors Darius Best and Nick Medeiros led the team in points scoring 12 and 11 points. Best, the North Carolina native, gave the Warriors fits all afternoon as he did his damage primarily from the mid-range. Medeiros was everywhere on the court for the Pengs as he dished out a team high four assists and swiped three steals to go along with his 11 points.

The black and gold would close out the first half with momentum as they went on a little run to extend their lead to six. Dominican's defense was on full display this afternoon especially in the first holding the Warriors to 37% from the field and only allowing them to hit four three-pointers.

Coming out the lockers for the second half both teams offenses got hot as they both were hitting their shots. However, the difference in this game was the bench points. The Pengs bench contributed in a huge way erupting for 22 points while the Warriors only got three points from theirs. Sargent Jeffery, the big man out of Nevada, controlled the paint for the Pengs off the bench going a perfect 4 for 4 from the field while collecting five boards.

Down the stretch, Dominican's defense secured this win with Stephen Ransom swatting away a game high three blocks and Medeiros coming up with a huge steal with 50 seconds left when the Warriors were about to come down the court to possibly tie the game.

The Penguins will return home for a crucial match-up with Chaminade Feb. 26^th at 7:30 p.m.