Los Altos boys basketball hangs on in final seconds to beat Colony

HACIENDA HEIGHTS – Los Altos seemed to do everything it could to waste its comfortable eight-point lead against Colony in the final minute of Thursday’s game.

The Conquerors turned the ball over three consecutive times under their own basket because of the Titans’ pressure on inbound passes.

Colony used those turnovers to chip away and had a chance to tie the score in the final seconds. But Destin Strauther’s 3-point shot missed and teammate Dayvon Lewis scored a putback as time expired, but it wasn’t enough as Los Altos held on for a 73-72 victory in a Hacienda League opener.

Los Altos’ Kyle Kincy was the game’s leading scorer with 24 points and sank five 3-pointers.

He admitted it was nerve-wracking watching the Titans battle back.

“They’re quicker, more athletic and a bigger, stronger team,” said Kincy. “We just have to play more disciplined. We know we’re a more skilled team, so we just have to stay doing the fundamentals and we’ll be good.”

Los Altos’ Kylen Kincy buried five 3-pointers and finished with 24 points in a close 73-72 win over Colony, he talked about it. pic.twitter.com/Y6a5XzkuKO

— Fred J. Robledo 👨🏻‍💻 (@SGVNSports) January 9, 2026

The Titans (8-11, 1-1) nearly spoiled the night for Los Altos (16-3, 1-0) and Conquerors coach Jeff Lucas.

“We got the win and that’s the most important thing,” Lucas said. “We made some mistakes and not really satisfied with what happened at the end though.”

Kincy’s shooting helped the Lancers build a 14-point lead in the third quarter.

“He hit a lot of big shots for us. He’s one of our leaders, we look for him to do those things,” Lucas said. “Get to the basket, distribute the ball, and he’s a very good shooter as well. He hit some big shots, but we all have to take care of the ball better at the end.”

Los Altos coach Jeff Lucas talks about how his team hung on for a 73-72 victory over Colony. pic.twitter.com/M4YJ7tSxJw

— Fred J. Robledo 👨🏻‍💻 (@SGVNSports) January 9, 2026

Los Altos’ Kareem Mendez was a perfect 6-for-6 at the foul line and finished with 20 points.

The Conquerors’ 6-foot-7 forward, Kevin Keshishyan, scored six of his 15 points in the fourth quarter, and they came at a crucial time when the Titans had pulled close.

It was a game of runs, as every time Los Altos would pull away, Colony would answer back.

The Conquerors took their biggest lead, 51-37, on Keshishyan’s turnaround jumper with 3:45 left in the third quarter. But Colony, led by Strauther’s 23 points, closed the quarter with a 10-1 run to cut the Conquerors’ lead to 54-52.

The Conquerors stretched their lead to 62-56 with 5:33 left after Keshishyan’s big rebound and putback. And they led 71-63 with 58 seconds left after Isaac Reese’s basket.

That set up the frantic finish.

Overall, it was a solid win against a Colony team that played well in late December. Colony reached the championship of the Bronze Division in the The Classic at Damien, losing to Glendora in the final.

Lewis added 19 points for the Titans and Desahwn Deloach had 15 points.

“The pressure gave us some problems and (Strauther) went to the rack pretty easy on us,” Lucas said. “But we got some big stops, some big rebounds. But obviously the last minute was tough. But we’re excited we got the win and looking forward to the next game against South Hills on Tuesday.”