PREP BASKETBALL / SOUTHERN SECTION SEMIFINALS : Pierce Gets 35 Points, but Dominguez Gets Win

With his team trailing Compton Dominguez, 56-35, after three quarters of Tuesday’s Southern Section Division II-A semifinal, Inglewood’s Paul Pierce, a 6-foot-7 guard/forward, scored 21 points in the fourth quarter.

Pierce’s efforts were not enough, as the Dons made key baskets in the final minute to defeat Inglewood, 83-74, before a capacity crowd of 1,200 at Compton College.

Dominguez (28-2), ranked No. 2 in the Southland by The Times, advances to the championship game Saturday at The Pond of Anaheim, where it will play Tustin (28-1). No. 3 Inglewood finishes at 26-4.

Pierce, who finished with 35 points and 14 rebounds, made three three-point baskets in the final period, including a 25-footer with 1:15 remaining to bring the Sentinels within 73-70.

But the Dons got layups from James Jones and Jason Thomas on two possessions in a row to go up, 77-70, with 40 seconds left.

James Brown led Dominguez with 20 points and Kenny Brunner added 16.