By Tim Peterson
(San Marino) – Nicholas Chen scored 22 points and San Marino had just enough to beat Blair 60-59 Friday night in Rio Hondo League action before a packed house at San Marino High.
With the victory the Titans moved into sole possession of first place in the Rio Hondo with an unbeaten record of 4-0. Blair suffered its first league loss and fell to 3-1.
San Marino jumped out to a 12-4 lead right out of the gate and still led 14-11 after the first quarter. Nicholas Chen scored five points in the quarter and Zane Daoud also had five. Marcus Chen scored four down low.
Blair relied on the three-ball in the second quarter. Joseph Riggins buried two from downtown and Simieon Alawode also hit one from deep as the Vikings outscored the Titans 17-15 in the quarter to trail by just one at the half. The Firm of Chen and Chen (Nicholas and Marcus) combined for eight points for San Marino.
The Titans were able to provide some separation in the third quarter. Angelos Papadopulos scored five in the quarter for San Marino including a three-ball and Nicholas Chen continued his hot hand with seven. San Marino took a 48-42 lead into the fourth quarter.
The Titans were still up 60-56 with just 49 seconds left when Blair’s Jaleel Hunter hit a free throw to cut the lead to three. After Nicholas Chen missed a short jumper Hunter hit a driving layup to cut the lead to 60-59 with seven seconds left.
Blair still had three fouls to give before putting San Marino on the free throw line and despite the Vikings efforts the Titans ran out the clock to secure the victory.
Marcus Chen joined Nicholas in double figures with 14 points and Daoud added seven. For Blair Hunter led the way with 19 points and Alawode had 12- all from beyond the arc. Riggins also nailed three shots from long distance and finished with 11.
San Marino improved to 17-5 overall while Blair fell to second place in the Rio Hondo and 13-6 on the season.
BL 11 17 14 17 59
SM 14 15 19 12 60
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