Butler lifts SJCC past Las Positas 71–69 in road thriller

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Jeremiah Butler scored 20 points and San José City College held off a late surge to edge Las Positas 71–69 on Saturday evening at Giacomazzi Palace.

San José carried a 32–26 lead into halftime and leaned on composure down the stretch after Las Positas rallied with a 43-point second half. Butler logged 38 minutes and hit three 3-pointers while adding four assists to steady the Jaguars in a tightly contested finish.

Savion Daniels provided a spark off the bench, scoring 11 points on a perfect 5-for-5 shooting night and grabbing six rebounds. Ryan Baker added 10 points and two steals, while Taj Royster chipped in nine points and a game-high 11 rebounds in limited minutes.

San José shot 42.2 percent from the field and held Las Positas to just 21.4 percent shooting from beyond the arc, a key factor in the narrow win.

Las Positas was led by Jaden Woodard with 16 points and Ted Bigg-Wither, who posted a double-double with 13 points and 16 rebounds. Richard Banks added 12 points and five assists, but the hosts couldn't overcome missed opportunities at the free-throw line, finishing 20 of 32.

The game featured heightened physicality, with two technical fouls assessed to San José in the second half. Despite the pressure, the Jaguars closed out the final minutes to secure the road victory.