Knott’s big game propels El Capitan past Patterson in WAC basketball

Without thinking about it, Isaiah Knott took over the game.

The El Capitan High School point guard scored 10 consecutive points for the Gauchos in a 92-second stretch of the third quarter that helped open a double-digit lead. El Capitan went on to defeat Patterson 69-56 in a key Western Athletic Conference matchup Friday night in the Stable Center.

“That stretch, I didn’t even know I scored 10 straight points,” said Knott, who finished with 27. “I just saw an opening, and I tried to finish. I was just trying to do what I could for my team.”

Knott has emerged as one of the top players in the area, and he has the Gauchos (13-5, 4-0 WAC) in position to make a run at a conference title.

The senior helped set the tone early for El Capitan against the Tigers (11-7, 2-2), scoring eight points in the first quarter to help the Gauchos take a 12-9 lead.

The lead was still three entering the second half, when he spearheaded a 16-3 run that started with Knott finding Jarod Latona open for a three-pointer. Knott then made a steal and layup to start his 10-point string. Knott drained a three-pointer and then hit two free throws after Patterson coach Jason McCleery was hit with a technical foul.

Knott then made a highlight-reel type of play with a crossover move from the top of the key and a drive down the lane. Knott hit the layup and was fouled for a three-point play that extended the lead to 41-29.

He added another assist on a James Sellers’ three-pointer to push the lead to 44-29.

“He’s our leader,” El Capitan coach Chris Tufts said. “He’s not our unanimous team captain for any other reason. He stepped up and scored tonight, and we followed his lead.”

Patterson didn’t go way. The Tigers used an 8-0 run to help cut its deficit to 46-37 entering the fourth quarter. Patterson pulled to 58-53 after a dunk by Nana Appiah (12 points) with about two minutes left.

However, Sellers help put away the game by hitting three three-pointers from the corner in the final 1:35. Sellers scored 11 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter.

“Patterson tried to take him away; they had (Appiah) on him and some other guy,” Tufts said. “They were right up on him trying to not let him shoot. He got open for those three corner threes.”

Patterson was led by Kwaheri Rue’s 19 points, which came with the help of five three-pointers. The Tigers struggled against the Gauchos’ press most of the game. Patterson committed 23 turnovers, including 11 in the third quarter, when the game got away from the Tigers.

“It’s not uncommon for us,” McCleery said. “Our guys are trying to do a little too much. It’s not anything I get too upset with because they’re playing hard. They’re trying to make the right play and make the right pass.”

El Capitan received big contributions from Jesus Butler, who scored nine points, including a big three-pointer in the fourth quarter to help hold off Patterson. Marcellus Jones scored seven points and played big in the paint.

“We really felt this was a big turning-point game for us,” Knott said. “We knew this would be a big win if we could get it, which we did. Now we just need to keep pushing from here.”

Los Banos 68, Livingston 59 in Los Banos – The Tigers picked up their first WAC win behind David Walker’s 20 points and Cameron Gomez’s 15.

Kevin Alvarez scored 20 points to lead the Wolves.

This story was originally published January 15, 2016 at 10:44 PM with the headline "Knott’s big game propels El Capitan past Patterson in WAC basketball."