HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL BOYS’ STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS : Tustin Turns to Defense for Division II Title

David Beilstein sparked a second-half charge and finished with 28 points to lead Tustin to a 66-54 victory over Danville San Ramon in the boys’ State Division II championship game Saturday at the Oakland Coliseum Arena.

After trailing at halftime, 33-24, Tustin went to a full-court trap defense to make a second-half comeback. Beilstein keyed the Tillers’ rally with three three-point baskets in the third quarter when Tustin took its first lead of the game, 40-39.

“We didn’t let the game come to us in the first half,” said Beilstein, who made five three-point baskets. “But, our intensity was incredible in the third quarter. It definitely was our best effort of the year.”

San Ramon made 15 of 28 shots in the first half, with Kevin Dunne and Todd Benatar combining for 21 points. The Wolves led by as many as 11 points late in the second quarter and limited Tustin to 34.5% shooting.

“They shot the ball real well in the first half,” said Tustin forward Thomas Clayton, who finished with 13 rebounds and nine points. “We had to put pressure on them in the second half to take them out of their rhythm.”

In the fourth quarter, Tustin (30-4) built a 50-42 lead. Behind Dunne, who finished with 19 points, and Benatar, who had 18, the Wolves cut Tustin’s lead to 51-50 with 3:24 remaining.

San Ramon (29-3) made only two field goals in the game’s final three minutes, and Tustin put the game away at the free-throw line, making 11 of 12 in the final 1:35.