Tustin Starts 10 Down but Finishes on Top

After 70 free throws, big plays from unlikely players and a 10-point comeback, Tustin won a share of its first league title since 1992 Thursday.

The Tillers forged a tie with 10th-ranked Westminster atop the Golden West League with a 64-53 victory over the Lions behind Susan Jara’s 19 points and Brook Brown’s 17.

Host Tustin (21-4, 9-1) last won a league title--in the eight-team Sea View League--in 1992 en route to an appearance in the Southern Section finals. Westminster is 22-5, 9-1.

Tustin got plenty of input in snapping Westminster’s winning streak at 13.

Jacky Williams scored only seven, but had two fourth-quarter baskets (before fouling out) with the Tillers nursing a three-point lead. Michelle Siazon, a non-starter, had nine points --six in the fourth quarter--as the Tillers won for the 13th time in 14 games.

“When it came down to it in the second half, they executed and we didn’t,” said Westminster Coach Dick Katz, whose team shares the league title for the second consecutive season. “We relied on our reputation.”

Westminster led at halftime, 32-27, but Tustin opened the third quarter with a 12-2 run.

Tustin made 12 of 22 field goals in the second half--and 12 of 17 free throws--as it completed a comeback from 10 points down after one quarter.

It was in stark contrast to the first half, when Tustin made only eight of 28 field goals attempts and 10 of 21 free-throws.

Westminster was only seven of 34 shooting in the second half. Janet Glasby (21 points, 12 rebounds, seven of 13 shooting) got only two fourth-quarter shots.

In other league games:

Rosary 63, Ocean View 41--Rosary (15-11, 6-4) held Anna Lembke to 13 points, and got double-digit scoring from Sarah Belavic (17 points), Romina Bollini (17) and Maggie Barnett (16). Mara Sheppard scored 16 for Ocean View (11-15, 4-6), the three-time defending champion.

Saddleback 47, Santa Ana--45--Prabjot Kaur scored 19 as Saddleback (7-17, 2-8) held off Claudia Torres (12 points) and Santa Ana (2-21, 0-10).