ORANGE COUNTY PREP BASKETBALL : Girls’ Roundup : Mater Dei Tops Marina, 50-39

Mater Dei High School advanced to the final of the Savanna Tournament on the strength of its’ 50-39 win over Marina Wednesday at Savanna High School.

The Monarchs will meet Edison (8-0) in Friday’s tournament championship game.

Geri Gainey led the Monarchs Wednesday with 18 points and 5 assists; teammates Debbie Wagner and Kelly O’Brien each added 10 points.

Liberty Brewster was the top scorer for Marina with 13 points.

Mater Dei raised its record to 8-1. Marina fell to 7-2.

In other Savanna Tournament games:

Edison 81, Colton 39--Kristi Smith scored 16 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in a championship semifinal for the undefeated Chargers (8-0). Denise Ogburn and Wendy Sandstedt also scored 16 and Claudia Morris added 14.

University 44, Dana Hills 35--University trailed by eight in the third quarter but came back behind Stacey Richards’ six steals and four second-half assists, winning a semifinal game in the consolation bracket. Katie Ho led University with nine points and Dana Hills’ Kim Larkins led all scorers with 10.

In the Lancer Invitational:

Los Angeles Lutheran 42, Connelly 36--Forward April Otte scored 20 points and guard Peri Booth 13 in the Lions’ first-round win. Forward Sydney Higa had 21 points to pace the Koalas, who trailed by just a point at halftime.

Rosary 36, La Verne Lutheran 23--Sophomore forward Cari Garcia paced the Royalettes with 15 points in a first-round matchup. The Trojans’ top scorer was Donna Joslen with 12. Rosary dominated the game throughout and held a 16-8 halftime advantage. In remaining first-round games tonight, Head-Royce of Oakland will play Rio Hondo Prep of Arcadia and Canyon Springs of Moreno Valley will play host Orange Lutheran.

In Empire League play:

Katella 58, Cypress 43--Sophomore forward Joni Easterly scored 10 points and grabbed 11 rebounds and Frances Moore added 10 points to lead the Knights to the win at Katella. Diane Pohl led Cypress with 17 points. Katella (7-1) is at Pacifica today.

In nonleague action:

Buena Park 50, Bellflower 48--Senior forward Kelly Hillard scored 22 points and point guard Cheryl Harada 17, including 10 of 12 free throws, to pace the Coyotes’ win at Bellflower.