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The Berkeley High boys’ basketball team is used to David versus Goliath matches. They just aren’t used to playing the role of Goliath. 

The Yellowjackets, who have faced larger opponents in most of their games this season, picked on an even smaller De Anza team Friday night for a 78-41 in their first ACCAL game of the season. 

Berkeley (9-5 overall) went on an 18-3 run during the second quarter to build a comfortable 38-24 halftime lead, then shut down the De Anza offense in the second half, holding the Dons to only six points in the third quarter and 11 in the fourth. 

“We have usually been the smaller team this year,” Berkeley coach Mike Gragnani said. “We were fortunate enough to get some inside stuff going tonight.” 

De Anza played without 6-foot-4-inch Michael McFadden, who was serving a one-game suspension after being ejected in the team’s last game against McClymonds. California high school basketball rules prohibit a player from competing in a game following an ejection. 

McFadden scored 40 points against Oakland Tech and 39 points against McClymonds earlier this week. In McFadden’s absence, Berkeley was able to control the glass and the pace of the game. 

“It will be a different game when he is back next time,” Gragnani predicted of the teams’ next matchup on Feb. 2. 

The Yellowjackets were outscored 12-10 in a slow first quarter that saw both teams miss the majority of their shots. They were down by as many as four points before forward Louis Riordan sparked a rally early in the second quarter with a short jump shot.  

Berkeley caught up at 16-16 when guard Ryan Davis made the first of three layups he would score off of steals. Davis scored eight of his team-high 14 points in the second period. 

Berkeley settled down in the second half and allowed De Anza to make only five field goals in the final 16 minutes. The ’Jackets began the fourth period with a 13-0 run and cruised to their first win in the ACCAL, their new league. 

“We were rushing in the first half and we got a little bit sloppy,” Gragnani said. “In the second half we kept our composure. Our goal at halftime was to hold them to nothing. Any time you hold the other team to single-digit quarters, you have to be pleased with that performance.” 

Jahi Milton and Atticus Honore both scored 10 points for Berkeley off the bench. De Anza’s Angelo Hughes led all scorers with 15 points. The Dons dropped to 5-10 this season. 

The Yellowjackets next host Richmond on Tuesday at 7 p.m.