Pacific Grove scores three-point play in closing seconds, steals
53-52 win over San Benito on Monday
HOLLISTER
Pacific Grove’s Brian Kiely hit a six-foot jump shot in the closing seconds and converted the and-one free throw Monday as the Breakers stole a 53-52 win against the San Benito boys basketball team at Mattson Gym in Hollister.
It’s San Benito’s first loss of the early season, with their only other game a 53-47 victory at home to Milpitas.
The ‘Balers had a shot at another win on Monday against Pacific Grove, managing to hold the lead after each of the first three quarters. Up 52-50 with 40 seconds remaining in regulation, the ‘Balers tried to exhaust the clock before taking a shot.
They did that, head coach John Becerra said, running the clock down to eight seconds. But the shot was a kick-out 3-pointer from long distance, and after the Breakers pulled down the rebound, Kiely went the length of the floor before being fouled on a six-footer at San Benito’s end.
The Pacific Grove guard made the jumper as well as the free throw for a three-point play, and the Breakers took a 53-52 lead as a result.
Trailing by one point, the Haybalers had one last shot with three seconds left on the clock, but they couldn’t convert.
“We didn’t pick it up defensively, and we allowed their best player to come down the floor,” Becerra said. “The difference in the game was that they were more aggressive than we were. They out-sprinted us from one side of the court to the other.
“They got some easy transition baskets and we didn’t get a single one and that hurt us.”
Dominic Zanella had his second double-double performance in as many games for the ‘Balers, dropping 16 points and pulling down 11 boards.
San Benito’s Jason Canchola had 12 points, while Tim Von Urff had six points and four assists.
San Benito (1-1) will compete later this week at the 26th Annual Seascape Classic at Aptos High. The ‘Balers are slated to open the tournament against Gunn on Thursday at 5 p.m.
TEAM 1 2 3 4 F
PG 11 11 16 15 53
SB 14 15 12 11 52
San Benito (52) – Vallejo 1 0 2 4, Von Urff 2 0 2 6, Elayda 1 2 1 9, Canchola 3 2 0 12, Rickard 1 0 1 3, Corral 1 0 0 2, Zanella 7 0 2 16.
