1-A Basketball Playoffs : MacArthur Scores 35 Points as Orange Lutheran Advances

Geoff MacArthur scored 35 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead Orange Lutheran to an 84-67 victory over Yucca Valley in a Southern Section 1-A wild-card playoff game Wednesday at Orange Lutheran.

MacArthur, a 6-foot 2-inch forward, scored 10 points in the third quarter as the Lancers turned a 32-31 halftime deficit into a 53-44 lead. Yucca Valley (16-7) narrowed the lead to 62-55 with four minutes left before Orange Lutheran (17-7) pulled away.

The Lancers advance to Friday night’s first-round matchup at Bellarmine Jefferson (16-6).

Orange Lutheran scored the game’s first six points, but Yucca Valley came back to tie the score, 16-16, after one period. MacArthur, who scored 11 points in the first quarter, finished the half with 17 points.

“We told the team at halftime to get their feet moving and stop playing lethargically, and they responded,” said Orange Lutheran Coach Jerry Simmons.

Terry Chu scored 12 points, Gaylord Greene had 11 and Pat Bagatourian 10 points for Orange Lutheran. Jason Neben had 10 assists for the Lancers.

Steve Stinson scored 22 points to lead Yucca Valley.