Freshman Malik McCowan scored a season-high 31 points as five Pirates scored in double figures to lead Porterville College to a 104-100 win over the visiting Merced College Blue Devils on Wednesday night. The Central Valley Conference win improved PC to 7-13 overall and 4-3 in conference play.

Porterville led 55-48 at halftime but had to hold off Merced in the second.  The Blue Devils went on to outscore the Pirates 52-49 over the final 20 minutes.

McCowan posted his first double-double of the season as he grabbed 11 rebounds to go along with his 31 points. He also added three assists and three steals to pace the Pirates.

Four Pirate starters also scored in double figures, as PC got 20 points from Carlos Angel, 17 from Da'Morea Green, and 10 from Tevin Howell while Darion Wilson came off the bench to contribute 13 points.

Porterville will look to keep the momentum going on Saturday (Jan. 28) when the Pirates host West Hills-Coalinga College in a 5 p.m. CVC game. West Hills was an 86-82 winner over Porterville in their previous meeting on Jan. 4.