Balanced Jaguars Overpower Diablo Valley for 83–71 Home Victory

SAN JOSE, Calif. — San José City College didn't need a single dominant scorer Tuesday night—just a wave of steady, disciplined contributors who refused to let Diablo Valley dictate the pace. Behind a balanced attack and a late surge of defensive stops, the Jaguars earned an 83–71 win at home, continuing to build momentum as November closes.

The game didn't hinge on flash. It hinged on poise.

San Jose (now trending upward after several tight contests) set the tone early, jumping out to a 37–25 halftime lead by turning crisp passing into high-percentage looks. Eleven different Jaguars scored, and six players finished with at least six points—evidence of a roster embracing its depth instead of leaning on one or two heroes.

Taj Royster was the sparkplug, pouring in 20 points on an efficient 9-for-12 shooting night while adding six rebounds and two blocks. Every time Diablo Valley looked ready to steal back momentum, Royster answered with a strong drive or a mid-paint finish.

But he wasn't alone. Dylan Galvan (14 points, six assists) played with the calm of a veteran guard, knocking down threes in rhythm and setting up teammates with precision. Muhammad Singleton added 12, grinding his way to tough buckets in traffic. And in what may have been the game's most understated performance, Ryan Baker chipped in nine points, four rebounds, four assists, and three steals, turning broken possessions into scoring chances.

The Jaguars' willingness to share the ball—24 assists on 33 made field goals—was the difference.

Diablo Valley (71 points on 42 percent shooting) didn't fold. The Vikings rode hot shooting from their bench—Kaleb McKenzie dropped 18, and Adrian Calderon added 16, combining for six made threes—to stay within striking distance deep into the second half. Each time San Jose seemed ready to pull away, McKenzie buried another jumper or Calderon found space behind a screen.

But the Jaguars never panicked. Even when Diablo Valley trimmed the lead to single digits late, the defense tightened. San Jose forced 10 turnovers and held the Vikings to just a handful of clean looks in the final four minutes.

And that's where the human part of this win revealed itself. This wasn't a group coasting on talent—it was a group learning to finish games.

When the final horn sounded, the Jaguars had protected home court and delivered a performance that felt like it meant more than a mid-November box score.

FINAL: San Jose 83, Diablo Valley 71