Trailing by 14 Points, Harvard, Collins Rally

Jason Collins scored 12 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter to help the Harvard-Westlake High boys’ basketball team erase a 14-point deficit and earn a 63-55 victory over Santa Barbara in a semifinal-round game of the Thousand Oaks tournament Thursday night.

Collins, who also pulled down 16 rebounds, scored 16 of his points in the second half to help the Wolverines claw their way back from a 39-25 halftime deficit.

Harvard (2-0) will play Thousand Oaks in the final at 8:30 tonight.

The Wolverines took their first lead since holding an early 7-6 edge when Collins scored inside to for a 45-44 advantage with 5 minutes 24 seconds to play in the third quarter.

The Wolverines never trailed after that, although the game remained close.

Santa Barbara guard Mike Garrett, who scored 20 of his 30 points in the first half, sank five consecutive free throws to pull the Dons to within 50-49 with 4:39 to play.

Harvard, however, repeatedly pounded the ball inside from there, and Collins and his twin brother Jarron scored 10 of Harvard’s last 13 points on free throws as Santa Barbara was forced to foul at the end.

Alex Gelbard scored 12 points for Harvard, and Jarron Collins added 11 points and five rebounds.

In consolation-bracket games:

Newbury Park 81, Granada Hills 66--Senior guard Brent Bush scored 31 points, including seven three-pointers, and center Charles Stanton had 18 points and 20 rebounds for the Panthers (3-4).

Jason Denis scored 26 points for Granada Hills (0-6) and Desmond Williams added 18.

Rialto 75, Grant 58--Roget Jiries scored 25 points and Donald Patterson added 19 for Grant (1-4).