SEA VIEW LEAGUE BOYS’ BASKETBALL : Corona del Mar Fails to Contain University

This season, University’s magic number has been 68, but it went nine points better Wednesday night.

University held off Corona del Mar, 77-74, in a Sea View League opener at Corona del Mar behind Demetrius Zeigler’s 26-point performance and Ali Amiri’s clutch free-throw shooting.

“We’re 8-0 when we score 68 points or more,” University Coach Mike Dinneen said. “We’re 0-4 when we don’t.”

So there was cause for concern for the Trojans (8-4, 1-0 in league), when Corona del Mar led, 12-10, after one quarter before University began forcing the tempo.

Using its full-court press and half-court trapping defense, University forced the Sea Kings (8-5, 0-1) into a running game in the second quarter--the teams combined for 61 points.

“That quarter was definitely more our style,” Dinneen said.

Point guard Dan McMillan scored 12 of his 19 points in the second quarter to keep Corona del Mar barely ahead at halftime, 42-41.

Then University’s pressure began to take a toll.

The Sea Kings handled the press well in the first half, committing only six turnovers. But University forced four turnovers in the first four minutes of the third quarter.

Reserve forward Nick Sibersky, who had eight points and six rebounds, scored on a layup to give University the lead on its first possession of the third quarter, 43-42.

Matt Hill’s three-pointer for the Trojans capped a 14-4 run that gave University a 55-46 lead midway through the quarter. University never relinquished the lead.

Corona del Mar tried to rally behind Ramin Bastani, who had 26 points and five-three pointers. Marius Sandvik, who had 10 points and 13 rebounds, scored after a rebound to draw Corona del Mar even, 74-74, with 33 seconds remaining.

But seven seconds later, Amiri drew a foul on a drive, then made both ends of a one-and-one to give University a 76-74 lead. Amiri finished with 16 points and seven assists.

Corona del Mar had a chance to tie, but after working the ball around the perimeter, an errant pass sailed high through McMillan’s hands and went out of bounds.

Lindsay Johnson intentionally fouled Zeigler with four seconds remaining, and Zeigler made one of two free throws to clinch the victory.

“We made some clutch free throws at the end and Ali played well tonight,” Dinneen said. “That’s what we want him to do, penetrate and kick the ball out and we’ll jack up the shots.”

Dustin White benefited from Amiri’s play making, hitting all three of his three-pointers in the second quarter while scoring 13 of his 15 points in the quarter.

Both teams struggled with foul trouble and the teams combined for 61 free throws.

In other league games:

Newport Harbor 61, Irvine 44--Juan Orellana had 18 points and five three-pointers and Paul Tayyar added 15 for host Newport Harbor (9-4, 1-0). Greg Foster scored 17 points for Irvine (4-8, 0-1).

Santa Margarita 60, Woodbridge 44--Brendan Mulligan scored a game-high 23 points, Brad Finneran added 16 points and Brian Finneran had 14 points and 12 rebounds to lead Santa Margarita (9-4, 1-0), the 10th-ranked team in the county.

Tustin 66, Saddleback 49--Greg Logan had 20 points as Tustin (9-5, 1-0) outscored Saddleback 19-3 in the second quarter. Chris Bradshaw had a game-high 22 for the Roadrunners (5-7, 0-1).