Boys’ basketball: Mater Dei 70, Etiwanda 60

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Mater Dei’s guards, Gary Franklin Jr. and Tyler Lamb, contributed three consecutive baskets during a 90-second span in the fourth quarter to break a 58-58 tie and lift the Monarchs (30-0) to a 70-60 victory over Etiwanda Friday night in a Southern Section Division I-AA semifinal game at Fontana Miller.

Franklin finished with 21 points and Lamb had 19 points.

What a fantastic final five minutes of drama and basketball. It was tied at 54, tied at 56, tied at 58. There was a block by Perris Blackwell of Etiwanda, followed by a block by Lamb. Back and forth it went, neither team wanting to give in.

Mater Dei finally got a cushion on a basket by Lamb and a three-point shot by Franklin for a 63-58 lead with 2:05 left. Then Lamb connected again for a 65-58 lead.

-- Eric Sondheimer