Peace’s Late Shot Gives Lynwood a 67-65 Victory Over Dominguez

Erik Peace claimed he asked for a little extra help as he scored on a 12-foot jump shot from the right baseline to lift visiting Lynwood to a 67-65 victory over Dominguez and into first place in the San Gabriel Valley League Wednesday night.

Peace’s basket, giving him 17 points for the night, culminated a stunning rally in the last 1:17. Trailing, 65-61, Darren Hughes hit a basket, and then Peace sank two free throws with 17 seconds left to tie the score.

Dominguez, the defending league champion, had the ball out of bounds with 10 seconds left, but Terrence Pope could not control the inbounds pass and was whistled for an over-and-back violation.

Hughes brought the ball into the front court, looked to his left, turned and threw a quick pass to Peace. The 6-0 guard dribbled to his right and arched a soft jump shot, which found nothing but net.

“I just figured the time was about gone, and I had to shoot it,” Peace said. “We were really looking inside, but nothing happened.”

Most shooters insist that winning shots are good as soon as the ball is airborne, but not Peace.

“No, I didn’t think it was going in,” he said. “I was praying all the way. This is wonderful to beat them in their own gym.” Lynwood (16-0 overall and 4-0 in the league), ranked No. 3 in the Times poll, not only beat Dominguez for the first time since 1982 but overcame a 24-point performance by Curtis Williams.

Coach Ernest Carr, whose team dropped to 10-4 and 2-1, was gracious in defeat.

“They came back and met the challenge,” he said. “We missed a couple of fouls shots, and they made theirs when it counted. Peace just beat us.”

Dominguez could have taken a two-point lead with 17 seconds left, but guard Rod Palmer missed the front end of a bonus.

Co-coach Chick Peterson said that was fortunate.

“We were lucky there, because Palmer is a good shooter,” said Peterson, who shares his duties with Bill Notley. “At the end, that’s why we got the ball back. We wanted to deny Palmer the ball because he’s their best shooter. We made the right move, and it worked.

“Plus Erik took the shot when he had to. But don’t count them out, they’ll get back after us.”

But for now, as Hughes shouted to anyone who would listen: “The streak goes on.”