No. 17 Golden Eagles drop season-opener 85-77 at Cuesta

SAN LUIS OBISPO – Freshman Jaylan Walton led West Hills College Lemoore with 21 points on Wednesday in the Golden Eagles 85-77 loss at Cuesta College in both teams' 2022-23 season-opener.

West Hills entered play ranked No. 17 in the California Community College Men's Basketball Coaches Association (CCCMBCA) Northern California preseason poll.

On Wednesday, the Golden Eagles led 45-38 at halftime but couldn't hold off unranked Cuesta. The Cougars outscored WHCL 47-32 over the final 20 minutes.

West Hills shot an impressive 42 percent from 3-point range. Walton led the Golden Eagles with six from downtown, while DaMari Tate nailed four 3-pointers on his way to 14 points. DJ Torrence came off the bench to score 14 as well while Keasean Bazlie added 10 points.

The Golden Eagles will look to get back on track when they host Los Angeles Harbor College on Saturday (Nov. 5) at 3 p.m. in their home opener.