CUPERTINO, CA - Max Dorward torched the Homestead defense on Wednesday night, carrying Palo Alto to a 69-54 win on the road, the 17th straight win for the Vikings.
Dorward had a game-high 26 points to go with nine rebounds and five assists, part of a collective effort on the glass for Palo Alto, who out-rebounded the Mustangs 38-22 as a team. Behind Dorward and Spencer Rojahn, the Vikings (19-2, 9-0 SCVAL-De Anza) built a 30-21 at the half. Rojahn scored 11 of his 17 points in the first two quarters, when he drained a trio of shots from beyond the arc. He also added a game-high 12 rebounds.
Jared Wulbrun continued a hot shooting night for the Vikings in the third quarter, when he hit a pair of key three-pointers to help Palo Alto hold off a strong surge from Homestead. Wulbrun finished with 12 points, all from behind the three-point line, as the two teams combined to hit 17 three-pointers in the game.
Eric Sonobe led Homestead (8-14, 3-7) with 21 points, including four three's in the third quarter, when the Mustangs cut the lead to seven points entering the final period. Sonobe scored 19 of his 21 points in the second half, and Alex Harris added a trio of three-pointers, as Homestead refused to go down quietly. In the end, though, Paly's strength underneath and ability to score down the stretch was too much for the Mustangs. Dorward scored 12 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter, and Rojahn hit six free throws in the final minutes. Bryant Jefferson also had seven of his nine points in the second half.
Jefferson and Will Schlemmer were the only other Viking players to score in the game, with Schlemmer contributing five points, four assists, and three steals.
Palo Alto hosts Los Gatos this Friday night, after beating the Wildcats in overtime back on January 19. Homestead plays at Los Altos.
