Girls’ basketball: Mater Dei 57, Santa Monica 41

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After a slow start, Mater Dei kicked into high gear towards the end of the third quarter and grinded out a modest 57-41 victory over a pesky Santa Monica squad in the first of two games tonight at Mater Dei High in Santa Ana.

The Monarchs (31-1) were outscored 19-15 in the fourth quarter but easily advanced to the semifinal round of the Southern California Regional playoffs, where they will host either Harbor City Narbonne or Fullerton Troy.

Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis scored 16 points and Alexyz Vaioletama and Kiki Alofaituli each added 11 for top-seeded Mater Dei (30-1), ranked No. 1 in the nation. The Monarchs have won 23 straight since their only loss to Long Beach Poly on December 21.

Moriah Faulk scored 20 points and Briana Harris added 14 for Santa Monica (23-10), which suffered their third defeat to Mater Dei this season.

-- Steve Galluzzo