MidValleySports.Com

The Eagles and the Saints battle in the first round of the CIF Playoffs.

(South El Monte) – San Dimas let all of a 20 point lead get away but recovered in the fourth quarter to hold off South El Monte 68-66 Wednesday night in the first round of the CIF Division 3A playoffs.

South El Monte had two shots to tie it or win it the last 11 seconds but came up short. Moises Gutierrez missed a shot with 11 seconds left with the Eagles down by one and then after Ryan Ocampo made a free throw Marcos Lopez came up short on a three just before the buzzer.

Ryan Ocampo leads the way for San Dimas.

***San Dimas jumped out to a 26-9 lead after one giving South El Monte fits defensively.

***The Saints opened it up to 20 early in the second quarter.

***South El Monte went on a 10-0 run to close out the first half and get with nine-36-27- at the break.

***The Eagles fought all the way back getting even at 46 on a Lopez three with two minutes left in the third quarter.

***San Dimas led 50-49 after three.

***Enrique Duarte’s driving bucket with 18 seconds left cut the Saints lead to 67-66 with 18 seconds left.

***Ozzie Lopez stole the ensuing pass that set up Gutierrez’ shot but it bounced off the rim.

***Eduardo Hernandez and Alex Ortiz each had 18 points for South combining for 36 of the team’s 66.

***Ocampo led San Dimas and all scorers with 20 while Elias Hernandez, Tony Hugo and Greyson McGee were also in double figures with 12,11 and 10 respectively.

***San Dimas (third in the Valle Vista) improved to 12-13 overall while South El Monte finshed the season at 13-8 overall. The Eagles were second in the Mission Valley League.