SOUTHERN SECTION BOYS’ BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS : DIVISION II-A : Tustin Gives Encore in Beating Muir

For the third time in four seasons, Tustin eliminated Pasadena Muir from the Southern Section playoffs.

The fourth-seeded Tillers used some hot shooting from the field and free throws down the stretch to halt the Mustangs, 69-65, in the quarterfinals of the Division II-A boys’ basketball playoffs Friday night at Foothill High.

It was Tustin’s 11th consecutive victory and second this season over Muir and advances the Tillers to the semifinals Tuesday against top-seeded Dominguez.

Tustin guard Jeff Aguilar, an unlikely hero, emerged to score a career-high 21 points, drilling five three-pointers. Aguilar, who scored 10 in the fourth quarter, hit six of his nine shots and converted all four of his free throws.

“I thought after I hit two in the first quarter they’d (wise) up,” the senior said. “But they just left me open and I just kept hitting them. This is by far my best game.”

Tustin (22-7) couldn’t have shot much better. The Tillers converted 25 of 42 (59.5%) from the field compared to Muir’s 24 of 53 (45.3%).

Still, they had trouble shaking the pesky Mustangs (19-12), the defending division champs and winners of the Pacific League. But Aguilar, Doug Gottlieb and Aaron Kraus hit crucial free throws late to give Tustin the victory.

“I thought Aguilar shot the ball well and we got some guys to come through with some big free throws,” Tustin Coach Andy Ground said. “But (Muir) shot the ball well too near the end. It got pretty scary.”

Tustin appeared to have the victory clinched after taking a 63-54 lead on two free throws by Aguilar with 1:31 left. But forward Duane Curtis, who finished with a game-high 23 points, converted five free throws after being fouled on consecutive three-point attempts, the last two coming with 1:05 left to pull Muir to within 65-59.

After Kraus hit two free throws, Curtis nailed a three-pointer to pull Muir to within 67-62 with 49 seconds left. But the Mustangs, who had chances to get closer, folded by missing three-point shots as Tustin sealed it at the line.