On Friday, December 28, the Dons faced DeAnza in the second round of the Chris Huber Classic. The game was a rematch of their game earlier in the month, when DeAnza beat the Dons by 7 at the Amador Valley Tournament.  Seeking to avenge that defeat, the Dons jumped out to a an early lead with two 3-pointers from senior guard Ian Archer, 7 points from sophomore guard Scott Ruegg and another 6 from sophomore forward Joey Carrillo. The first quarter ended with the Dons up 22-16.
The Dons’ offense stagnated, as they scored fewer points in the next two quarters combined than they had scored in the first quarter. Still, the Dons led 39-34 when the buzzer to end the third quarter sounded. However, the officials put two seconds back on the clock, and DeAnza then converted a 4-point play to cut the Dons’ lead to 39-38 and captured momentum heading into the final stanza.
Led by Archer who scored 9 points in the fourth quarter, the Dons responded with poise to the disastrous end of the third quarter. Junior center John Kalil and Archer each hit two free throws and Archer hit another 3. DeAnza kept pace though and the Dons were up 46-44 when Kalil hit another free throw. Archer then hit yet another 3 to put the Dons up 50-46. After DeAnza answered, Ruegg’s layup made it 52-48. Junior forward Aidan Bodner made a free throw but then DeAnza hit a 3 to cut the lead. Bodner then converted two free throws to put the game out of reach. The Dons won 57-51, and Ruegg led the Dons with 18 points, Archer had 15 and Carrillo had 12.  The Dons next face Tamalpais in the championship Saturday at 5:30 at Acalanes.