University Defeats Nogales in Championship Game

It took University 18 years to reach the championship game of the Irvine World News Tournament.

So the Trojans made sure they didn’t waste their opportunity, beating La Puente Nogales, 58-45, Saturday for the title at Concordia University.

The Trojans struggled shooting for most of the game. But University was able to contain an athletic and explosive Nogales squad, which had scored 71 points in a semifinal victory over Estancia Friday.

Ron Quinine finished with 19 points for the Nobles. However, the Trojans limited the rest of the team to just 26 points.

University (7-2) turned on the heat on the defensive end in the final eight minutes, holding Nogales to nine points and breaking the game open.

University led, 47-41, with 5:18 to play, but didn’t allow Nogales (7-4) another point until there was less than a minute remaining.

An 11-0 run during that time by the Trojans sealed it. The play of reserve Hiro Christoph sparked University.

Christoph had all seven of his points in the final quarter, including a three-pointer with 5:01 left to start University’s run and give the Trojans a 50-41 lead.

Christoph then came up with a steal, which led to a three-pointer by Andy Lawrence to put the Trojans ahead, 53-41. “Andy was cold tonight [making four of 16 shots],” University Coach Mike Dinneen said. “But after that three-pointer I knew we had them.”

Lawrence, who scored 16 points, was named tournament most valuable player.