PREP BASKETBALL : Boys’ Roundup : Saddleback Holds Back Tustin, 56-48

Saddleback High School, the top-ranked boys’ basketball team in the county, had its second scare in a week Tuesday, holding off Tustin in the final minute to secure a 56-48 victory in a Sea View League game at Tustin.

Last Friday, the Roadrunners pulled out a victory over Corona del Mar in the final quarter.

Against Tustin, Saddleback (23-1 overall, 9-0 in league play) had its lead cut to two points in the final minute before sinking six consecutive free throws.

“We have been suffering from a loss of intensity lately,” Saddleback Coach Pat Quinn said. “This time of the year there’s no real goal. We’ve got to get back in line.

“Give them credit. They played real well and hustled a lot. They were after every loose ball.”

Tustin (12-11, 3-6) moved within one point of the Roadrunners twice in the fourth quarter, the second time with 3:10 left when Jason Moore hit two free throws to make the score 46-45.

But then Saddleback went on a 10-2 run, including eight free throws by center Malru Dottin, to put away the victory.

Tustin had one more chance after Dylan Stieler’s three-point play brought the Tillers within two, 50-48, with 47 seconds left.

But Sean Simon made both ends of a one-and-one and Dottin sank four free throws within the final 11 seconds to close out the scoring.

Dottin led all scorers with 27 points, including 13 of 14 free throws. Saddleback made 19 of 25 from the line.

Tustin, behind three three-pointers by Cheavly Ly, built a six-point second-quarter lead before Saddleback ran off 10 straight points on the way to a 27-24 halftime lead.

The Tillers rallied to tie the score, 35-35, with 2:20 left in the third quarter and then moved to within 44-43 with 4:48 left in the game.