DIVISION II-AA ROUNDUP : Fouls Hamper Beilstein, but Tustin Rolls

With leading scorer David Beilstein benched with three first-quarter fouls, Tustin, the county’s third-ranked team, struggled early against San Clemente Friday night at Tustin High School.

But after leading by seven points at halftime, Tustin opened the second half with a 10-2 run over the first four minutes to blow the game open as the Tillers posted a 75-57 first-round Southern Section Division II-AA playoff victory over San Clemente. Tustin advances to the second round to face Orange Tuesday.

“It’s happened to us all year,” San Clemente Coach Dion Kerhoulas said. “We came out flat to start the third quarter and didn’t take advantage when they missed those first four or five shots in a row.”

Beilstein, who sat out the entire second quarter, missed his first three three-point shots in the second half. Beilstein went 0 for 6 from three-point range in the game, and finished with just 10 points, 10 below his average.

While Beilstein was misfiring, Tustin (22-5) got its offense from forwards Thomas Clayton, who finished with a game-high 24 points and 15 rebounds, and Jentry Moore, who had 15 points.

“It was not a very well-played game,” Tustin Coach Tom McCluskey said. “But we overcame some adversity with David in foul trouble and still won the game.”

Bill Hagedorn led San Clemente with 15 points, while Morgan Bannister added 13 and Eddie Morgan 12. The Tritons, who finished fourth in the South Coast League, finished the season at 14-13.