Boys basketball: Mustangs hold off Artists

Steve Virgen

COSTA MESA - The Costa Mesa High boys basketball team held off an

inspired Laguna Beach squad that came back from 14 down, but lost, 48-43,

in Pacific Coast League action at the Mustangs’ gym Wednesday.

The game was delayed for 25 minutes when Laguna Beach Coach Rob

Cullinan’s grandfather, Bob, 83, passed out in the stands. Paramedics

came on the scene within five minutes of Bob Cullinan’s collapse, but

could not revive a pulse or breathing. He was taken to Hoag Hospital.

Coach Cullinan chose to resume action, which stood at 5-4, Costa

Mesa’s lead with 5:28 left in the first quarter.

The Artists (6-11 2-3 in the PCL) cut a 29-16 halftime deficit to a

36-30 disadvantage at the end of the third quarter. And in the fourth

quarter, Laguna Beach senior Jesse Duker hit a jump shot to tie the game

at 43 with 0:34 left. But Costa Mesa senior Chad Vakili, who scored a

game-high 20 points, nailed a three-pointer after a long pass from senior

David Conte with 0:28 remaining.

Conte hit two free throws with 0:08 left to secure the win.

PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE

Costa Mesa 48, Laguna Beach 43

Laguna Beach 10 6 14 13 - 43

Costa Mesa 13 16 7 12 - 48

Laguna Beach - Duker 9, Ridet 0, Lyle 17, Boyd 2, Gabbard 6, Renault

2, Leahy 2, Norfleet 3, Sands 2.

3-pt. goals - Gabbard 1, Norfleet 1.

Fouled out - none.

Technicals - none.

Costa Mesa - Jaime 5, Vakili 20, Millward 1, Krikorian 8, Conte 14,

Rodriguez 0, Ball 0.

3-pt. goals - Vakili 3, Krikorian 2, Conte 1.

Fouled out - none.

Technicals - Krikorian.