Boys basketball: Mesa downed, 77-61

IRVINE - The Costa Mesa boys basketball team had a strong start,

but a not so fortunate finish as the Mustangs lost, 77-61, at Northwood

in Pacific Coast League action Friday.

Mesa (15-9, 5-3 in league) jumped out to a 16-10 first quarter lead,

but the Timberwolves (18-6, 5-3) charged back with a 20-9 run to close

out the first half.

Mustang guard David Conte finished with a team-high 16 points, while Chad Vakili (13 points) and Nolan Clark 10) also scored in double

figures.

Northwood’s Drew Terry scored a game-high 24 points.

“(Northwood) turned it on in the second and third quarters,” Mesa

varsity assistant coach Carlos Smith said. “We went through a dry spell.

And, they were making their shots. It was not a pretty sight.”

The Mustangs moved to a second-place tie with the Timberwolves with

each team one game behind PCL leader University.

Costa Mesa is at Laguna Beach Tuesday.

PACIFIC COAST LEAGUENorthwood 77, Costa Mesa 61

Costa Mesa 16 9 10 26 - 61Northwood 10 20 17 30 - 77Costa Mesa - Conte 16, Vakili 13, Clark 10, Payne 9, Whittaker 8, Krikorian 5.

Northwood - Terry 24, Sellway 14, Howard 12, Sanchez 11, Bailey 7, Lee 5, Roggero 4.