Wes Nakama
December 20, 2011, 12:04am
Orlando Christian tops De La Salle, 44-36
Orlando Christian's Isaac Cohen elevates to grab a rebound against De La Salle. Greg Yamamoto | SLThe Panthers will face Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland, Calif.) in tonight's 8 p.m. semifinal. The Spartans, ranked No. 30 in the ESPN Rise/Powerade Fab 50, falls into a 5 p.m. consolation bracket game against Fairfax.
Orlando took a 8-3 lead at the end of the first period and maintained that five-point advantage as the half closed out at 16-11.
The Panthers then started the third quarter with an 11-4 run to push the lead to 27-15 after Dre Clayton's jumper with 3:21 remaining. Isaac Cohen then made a steal and slam dunk four seconds before the buzzer to make it 31-18 heading into the fourth.
The Panthers then started the third quarter with an 11-4 run to push the lead to 27-15 after Dre Clayton's jumper with 3:21 remaining. Isaac Cohen then made a steal and slam dunk four seconds before the buzzer to make it 31-18 heading into the fourth.
De La Salle chipped away and eventually closed it to 40-36 on Elliott Pitts' 3-pointer with 2:07 left, but Justice Montgomery sank four free throws in the final 41 seconds to seal the victory.
Pitts led all scorers with 13 points and four 3-pointers.
Pitts led all scorers with 13 points and four 3-pointers.