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Harbor Can’t Keep Pace With Compton : Basketball: Tartars’ Curt Smith and Jason Carmichael combine for 73 points in 109-102 victory.

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TIMES STAFF WRITER

Compton College’s Curt Smith scored from the baseline, from inside the lane, from the top of the key and most of all, from beyond the three-point line to almost single-handedly beat Harbor, 109-102, in a Southern California Athletic Conference game at Harbor on Wednesday night.

When Smith, who scored a game-high 48 points, wasn’t making baskets with his repertoire of shots and moves, he was passing to Jason Carmichael, who added 25 points for the league-leading Tartars (21-5).

Smith, who came into the game leading the state in assists and was second in scoring, had six assists to go with impressive shooting performance, which included six three-point baskets, some from as far out as 25 feet.

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“We held him to 48,” joked Harbor Coach Carl Strong.

Eric Carpenter led Harbor (17-3) with 28 points.

The Seahawks led by as much as 16 points in a the first half before the Tartars’ high-speed offense, which averages 95-plus points a game, began clicking.

“When we run our offense and showed patience, we played very well,” Strong said. “But we got out of our rhythm.”

After Harbor led, 58-49, at halftime, Compton started its comeback and tied the score at 82 with just over 10 minutes left on a reverse layup by Smith.

Then came the turning point: The Seahawks committed four consecutive turnovers in a span of 20 seconds to help Tartars open an 88-84 lead.

Smith scored 22 points in the first half, but missed badly on several three-point attempts as the Seahawks opened a 16-point lead. Harbor had a 25-13 rebounding edge at the half.

“We played about as well as we are capable of in the first half,” Strong said.

Carpenter had 14 first-half points, including four three-point baskets.

Compton closed to within 11 at the half.

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