Dons End Season with 37-27 Loss to Palomar

Anthony Piscitelli (left) and Dorion Barnett celebrate following Piscitelli's touchdown catch against Palomar College. Barnett also had a touchdown reception in the game. Photo courtesy of Tony McAndrew.
Anthony Piscitelli (left) and Dorion Barnett celebrate following Piscitelli's touchdown catch against Palomar College. Barnett also had a touchdown reception in the game. Photo courtesy of Tony McAndrew.

SANTA ANA - The Dons 2015 season came to an end today with a 37-27 loss to visiting Palomar College. The loss drops the Dons to 1-9 on the season and 0-6 in conference while Palomar improves to 4-6 overall and 2-4 in conference. The loss also puts the Dons winning percentage at .100 for the season, which is the lowest win percentage in the program's 97 seasons.

The Dons opened scoring with an early 43-yard field goal by Jonah Mack, but that would prove to be the only lead of the game for SAC. Daviante Sayles scored twice for Palomar in the first quarter on touchdown runs of one-yard and 55-yards before Mack pulled the Dons within seven at 13-6 with a 21-yard field goal early in the second quarter.

But Sayles would score again to extend the Comets lead to 20-6 with a two-yard touchdown run before Anthony Piscitelli caught a four-yard touchdown pass from Thomas Becerra to send the game into the half with Palomar leading 20-13.

After a 32-yard Palomar field goal extended the Comets lead to 10, Marion Pascal caught a 58-yard touchdown pass from Becerra to cut the lead to 23-20. But Sayles would score two more times in the fourth quarter, on runs of two-yards and 12-yards, to put Palomar up 37-20 with 12:53 left in the game.

The Dons attempted a late rally after Dorion Barnett caught a 19-yard touchdown pass from Becerra with three minutes left in the game. But the Comets recovered the onside kick and held on for the 37-27 victory.

Becerra finished the game with three touchdown passes for the Dons with Pascal proving to be his favorite target as he caught five balls for 119 yards and one touchdown.