BOYS’ BASKETBALL

Rancho Santa Margarita 60, Riverside North 53--Santa Margarita got 29 points from guard Dennis Keane and used a stingy defense to hold North to its lowest point total of the season in winning the Southern Section II-AA title at the Pond.

The Eagles (23-6), who last won a title in 1994 in Division III-A, led by as much as 13 before withstanding several furious rallies by the Huskies (22-7). It was North’s sixth consecutive appearance in a section final. It last won in 1993.

Keane was hot all day, scoring 15 points in the first half as Santa Margarita forged a 26-22 lead. He wound up making nine of 12 from the field, and 10 of 12 from the free-throw line. The 6-3 senior also added five rebounds, four assists and three steals.

North guard Ron Baldwin, who was four of nine from three-point range, led the Huskies with 14 points. His last attempt was missed with 23.6 seconds to play, which could have drawn the Huskies to within 57-56.

Instead the Eagles made three of four free throws in the final seconds to secure the win.

North shot 35.3% (18 of 51) from the field.