Inglewood Defeats Dominguez : Division II: Sentinels hold off Dons, 60-56, after Pierce fouls out.

When Compton Dominguez High forward Jaimie Gillin stepped to the foul line needing two free throws to tie the score with five seconds to play, Inglewood Coach Patrick Roy knew the shots would mean more than a tie.

“No way we could beat them in overtime without Paul Pierce,” Roy said.

But Roy didn’t have to worry about an extra session without his star, because Gillin missed the front end of a one-and-one and the top-seeded Sentinels went on to defeat the Dons, 60-56, in the Southern Regional Division II semifinals Thursday night before 2,100 at Inglewood High.

It was Pierce’s fifth foul that sent Gillin to the line.

Inglewood forward Abdul Benjamin went to the foul line for a one-and-one with four seconds to play. He missed his first attempt, but Dominguez guard Thomas Prince stepped into the lane too early, giving Benjamin another chance. He took advantage, making both shots to close the door on fourth-seeded Dominguez (30-3).

“He bailed me out,” Benjamin said.

The Sentinels (30-3) will play East Bakersfield (27-4) the final Saturday at Anaheim Arena.

But their season was on the verge of ending when Dominguez took a 50-45 lead with 5:12 to play.

Led by Pierce, who had 16 points and 11 rebounds, the Sentinels went on a 10-0 run to lead, 55-50, with 3:08 remaining.

“I was concerned for a minute,” Pierce said. “I felt I wasn’t playing well, I was letting them down. They needed me down the stretch.”

Dominguez was led by Prince and Gillin, who each scored 14 points.