By Anthony Sarinana

In a thrilling boys basketball game that kept fans on the edge of their seats, the Walnut Mustangs staged an incredible comeback to defeat the Diamond Bar Brahmas with a nail-biting final score of 57-56. The game, which was a critical match in the Hacienda League, had both teams battling fiercely for dominance and bragging rights in this inter-district rivalry game.

The stage was set for an intense showdown as both teams entered the game with identical Hacienda League records of 5-1, vying for the coveted top position alongside Los Altos. The outcome of this game was pivotal, as it would determine the leader in the league standings.

From the outset, the Walnut Mustangs displayed their determination, surging to a 14-11 lead at the end of the first quarter. However, the Diamond Bar Brahmas swiftly turned the tide in the second quarter, with Antoine Tran’s impressive three-pointers propelling them to a 32-24 lead at halftime.

The Brahmas continued their strong performance in the third quarter, maintaining their lead over Walnut with stellar plays from Jedi Chow and Max Gao, who showcased their prowess from the three-point line. With Diamond Bar’s sharp shooting, they held a commanding 46-36 lead at the end of the third quarter.

Undeterred by the Brahmas’ lead, the Walnut Mustangs launched a remarkable comeback in the final quarter, led by the outstanding performance of Nathan Yen, who emerged as the game’s leading scorer with 24 total points. Yen’s crucial three-point shot with 45 seconds left on the clock propelled the Mustangs into a one-point lead, setting the stage for a heart-stopping finale.

As the final seconds dwindled away, Diamond Bar had an opportunity to seize victory, but the ball ricocheted off the rim, clinching a dramatic 57-56 win for Walnut.

The Mustangs’ dominance extended beyond their offensive prowess, as they out-rebounded the Brahmas 32-22, including an impressive 20 offensive rebounds. In addition, Diamond Bar struggled from the free throw line, converting only six of 12 attempts.

With this exhilarating victory, the Walnut Mustangs improved to an 18-7 overall record, maintaining their top standing in the league with a 6-1 record. Their next matchup will be a home game against Rowland on Thursday, January 25th at 6:30 pm.

Meanwhile, the Diamond Bar Brahmas, with an overall record of 15-9 and a 5-1 league record, are gearing up for a challenging face off against the formidable Los Altos Conquerors on the same day at 6:30 pm at the Los Altos.

The electrifying showdown between the Walnut Mustangs and the Diamond Bar Brahmas will undoubtedly be remembered as a breathtaking display of skill, tenacity, and the sheer thrill of high-stakes basketball.

Game Stats

Walnut Mustangs (57)	Diamond Bar Brahmas (56)
Nathan Yen – 24 points	Jedi Chow – 15 points
Isaiah Leon – 9 points	Antoine Tran – 15 points
Corey Flicker – 8 points	Max Gao – 15 points
Logan Rosal – 6 points	Apolo Yonemoto – 6 points
Myles Wainwright – 4 points	Jack Lin – 3 points
	Ethan Alfonso – 2 points

Photos by Anthony Sarinana