The Diablo Valley College Vikings pillaged the Modesto Junior College Pirates 78-40 on Tuesday, Jan. 27 in an in-conference basketball game.

Men’s basketball coach Steve Coccimiglio said, “They stayed in zone the whole time; we said, hey, take your time.”

The gym was filled with music, fans and high hopes in the minutes leading up to the home game. The excitement could be felt across the gym.

Steals and scores were made by both sides, including a steal that led to a dunk by sophomore guard Jelani Hardaway, who would end up scoring 26 points.

Together the team pulled the score from 0-7, Modesto up, to 10-9 DVC in the first eight minutes. After the ball was taken back and forth on the court, the first half ended with DVC in the lead at  39-18.

DVC continued to dominate the second half, pretty much destroying the Modesto defense.

 In the final minutes of the game, the tension built up as it was now or never for Modesto to make their final comeback. Shots were fired, but it was not meant to be.

“Hands down, best game of the season,” sophomore guard Jalen Headspeth said.

Hardaway said it was the best the defense had played together.

DVC will try to improve its 12-10 record against Cosumnes River at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 30 in the DVC gym. The women’s basketball team will play before the men at 5:30 p.m.