Mater Dei Edges Tritons for Share of Title

Fourth-ranked Mater Dei clinched at least a share of the South Coast League girls’ basketball title Tuesday in dramatic fashion, beating No. 8 San Clemente, 53-52.

Tina Garcia’s basket with seven seconds left was the last of 17 lead changes, three in the final 1 1/2 minutes. San Clemente’s Colleen Turnbull’s six-footer at the buzzer bounced off the rim.

Garcia (16 points) wasn’t the only standout player for Mater Dei (17-6, 8-1 in league). Maile Shimoda came off the bench and scored 11 points, including three three-point baskets, and Lori Hurlbut (nine points), after going one for nine, made two three-pointers in the final 2:35. Hurlbut’s first provided a 48-43 lead, the second a 51-48 lead with 1:26 to go.

Andrea Jacobs (14 points) made two free-throws, and Kirsten Quade (13 points) put back Turnbull’s miss with 18 seconds left to give San Clemente (17-8, 6-3) a 52-51 lead and sent their home fans into a short-lived frenzy.