Mt. SAC men’s basketball ended their season with a 91-80 loss to Citrus College in the 3C2A Southern California Regional Final on March 6.

SAC kept the game competitive early, but Citrus dominated in the second half after SAC committed multiple defensive fouls.

Sophomore point guard Dayvon Gates (4) led SAC with 30 points, while sophomore guard Osami Maciel (15) had 17 points coming off the bench.

“There’s no excuses when it’s in the playoffs, so it’s just really fight till you die,” Gates said. “So if I’m not dying on the court, I’m still going to be out there fighting.”

Maciel responded with a clutch three-point shot coming right after turning the ball over in the first half.

“Next play… I can’t really dwell on it. It’s a playoff game,” Maciel said. “I know I have to show up for my teammates.”

Despite the Fighting Owls taking a ten point lead, SAC continued to fight until the very end with everyone on the court battling the defense for every bucket.

Assistant coach Phillip Brown, who has been with SAC for five years, gave his perspective on how much effort was put on the court.

“I think in the second half we probably could have done a little better defending without fouling, but to be honest with you, these dudes fought hard,” Brown said. Like they don’t have anything to hold their heads down about.”

The SAC DAWGS will start their 2026 season in November, where the goal is to practice hard in the off season and win the championship.