Torrance’s Robison Hits 37 as Inglewood Topples, 95-75

The relationship between Torrance Coach Carl Strong and guard Rick Robison is simple and downright efficient: When Robison’s game is on, Strong can pretty much bask in the glow of victory.

Such was the case Thursday night in the Torrance gymnasium when Robison dazzled the partisan capacity crowd with an offensive display that netted him 37 points and lifted the Tartars to a 95-75 victory over Inglewood in a game that was much closer than the score indicates.

The win left Torrance alone in second place behind Rolling Hills in the Bay League with an 8-3 mark, while the Sentinels fell to third with a 7-4 record. Torrance improved to 13-8 overall and Inglewood fell to 12-8.

“When we’re executing our offense and the little guy (Robison) is on, we’re really tough to defend,” said Strong. “We get the ball in his hands and if the other guys are doing their job, then I’m really comfortable with what’s going on.”

Robison took control offensively early in the first quarter with nine points but really came alive in the second half, scoring 21, including three three-pointers. In the Tartars’ previous victory over Inglewood, Robison scored 43 points.

But the 6-0, 145-pound sharpshooter said his mind was not on the score book but rather on the Bay League standings and postseason chances.

“At this point, we just wanted to stay two games up in the standings,” he said. “And I think we played very well tonight. It just felt good being out there. It was like everyone was in the groove.”

Torrance fell behind early and trailed, 24-21, at the end of the first quarter. But the Tartars claimed the lead with an 11-2 run with six minutes left in the second period.

Inglewood trailed 48-43 going into the third quarter but climbed back into the game with an 11-2 run of its own to take a 56-55 lead with 4:45 remaining in the quarter.

The game was tight until early in the final period when Torrance, leading 72-71, ran off 13 unanswered points in the next two minutes and Inglewood, without high-scoring forward Harold Miner, who missed the game because of a sprained ankle, had trouble offensively.

When guard Tommy Holland, who scored 19 points for the Sentinels, fouled out with three minutes left in the game and his team trailing by 14, the Tartars had the game in the bag.

“I don’t know if we can play better than we played tonight, but I hope so,” said Strong. “And I don’t know if Rick can play better either. He was just outstanding.

“He’s down on the offensive end scoring all the time, but then you look up and he’s playing tough defense on the other end too.”

Center Art Terrill scored 15 points for Torrance and play-making guard Ray Wang contributed 12, to earn high marks from Strong.

Reserve Steve King knocked down 19 for Inglewood, while Marlon Williams, who was filling in for Miner, contributed six points and eight rebounds.