Pioneers Showcase Balancing Act, 89-70

Clinging to a five-point halftime advantage, Simi Valley High combined balanced scoring with the smothering defense of Branduinn Fullove to come away with an 89-70 victory over host Moorpark on Monday night in a Marmonte League game.

Fullove, 6-foot-5 junior guard, shut down high-scoring Todd Tomlinson, holding him to 12 points on three-of-10 shooting. Fullove scored 18 points.

The Pioneers (14-2, 3-0 in league play), ranked No. 1 in the region by The Times, went on a 20-8 surge in the third quarter to turn the game into a rout.

Rafael Berumen finished with 27 points, Brett Michel had 19 points and 13 rebounds and Dustin Villepigue contributed 13 points and 13 rebounds. Shaun Michel had 10 points and 10 assists.

During a 10-2 streak to start the second half, the five Simi Valley starters contributed a basket.

The 6-foot-9 Berumen and the 6-8 Villepigue were too much for Moorpark (10- 6, 1-2), especially when the Musketeers couldn’t get their three-point shots to fall.

Shawn Corkery scored 19 points to lead Moorpark.