Butte College Men’s Basketball Triumphs 83-60 in Conference Opener

The Butte College men’s basketball team secured a decisive victory against American River College, winning 83-60 in their Golden Valley Conference opener on December 10, 2025. The Roadrunners demonstrated significant improvement in team chemistry, highlighted by a remarkable 20-0 scoring run during the final ten minutes of the first half, setting the tone for the rest of the game at Cowan Gym in Butte Valley, California.

Head coach Jack Martin emphasized the importance of defensive play in the team’s success. He noted that early in the game, players were overly focused on stealing the ball rather than maintaining their defensive positions. “I told them we got impatient,” Martin said. “When we started finding our flow and rhythm on both ends, that’s the run we had. It started with our defense.”

The game began with a tightly contested first half, featuring five lead changes within the first ten minutes. American River College led 18-15 following a layup by Miles Macayan. However, Butte quickly turned the tables. Kev Farrington and Angus Lourey contributed to an offensive surge, with Lourey’s three-pointer giving Butte a lead they would not relinquish. The Roadrunners increased their advantage with a combination of free throws and a series of three-pointers, culminating in a 35-18 lead after their 20-0 run.

Martin praised the balance of the team’s offense, stating, “Teams can’t load up on one or two guys. As long as we share the ball, we’re hard to guard and a dangerous team.” The Roadrunners showcased their depth, with five players averaging over ten points per game. In this match, Jah Van led the scoring with 24 points, supported by Anthony Wilcox with 14 points and De’Nage Kelly who added 10 points and seven rebounds.

Butte’s defense was equally impressive, as they recorded 12 steals while maintaining only eight turnovers. The standout defensive player was Jason Raga, who successfully limited American River’s leading scorer, Vincent Gonzales, to just eight points. Raga remarked, “I knew he could shoot the ball really well, so if I could take that away, then he couldn’t do much else.”

As the second half progressed, the Roadrunners continued their momentum with an 11-0 run, expanding their lead to 64-39 with 11:10 remaining. This commanding position underscored the significance of winning their first conference game at home, an essential focus for the team. Martin reiterated this sentiment, stating, “It starts with defending home court… when you do get a home game, you have to defend it.”

With this victory, Butte College improved its overall record to 7-6 and established a conference record of 1-0. The Roadrunners have been on a roll, winning five of their last six games and six of their last eight. The team appears poised for a competitive season ahead, driven by a blend of strong defense and a distributed offensive strategy.