Galvanoni Helps Send Moorpark to Stockton

Dan Galvanoni scored 23 points to lead No. 5-seeded Moorpark College over Cerritos, 70-61, in a Southern California Regional men’s basketball third-round game Saturday night at Cerritos.

The Raiders (26-7) won their eighth consecutive game and advanced to the state championships Thursday through Saturday at University of the Pacific in Stockton.

Galvanoni, a 6-foot-3 sophomore guard who averages 18 points, made four three-point baskets, increasing his season total to 107.

“I usually get denied penetration but tonight I was able to drive and make some things happen,” Galvanoni said. “We were also passing the ball quickly, which got me some open looks.”

There were four ties and six lead changes in the second half.

Brian Smith scored 11 points and Trevor Lorz had 10 points and eight rebounds for Moorpark, which took the lead for good, 58-56, on two free throws by T.K. Reed with 4:13 to play.

Reed scored 10 of his 11 points in the second half. He made nine of 10 free throws, including his eight attempts in the second half.

“We played them in the summer and beat them, but haven’t seen them since,” said Moorpark guard Allen Case, who had eight points and six assists. “But any time you can beat the defending state champs in their own gym, it’s huge. It came down to us hitting our free throws and rebounding--that’s what good teams do.”

Galvanoni made back-to-back three-point baskets to give Moorpark its first lead since the opening minutes, 26-24, and the Raiders took a 31-29 halftime advantage. Galvanoni scored 17 points in the first half.

Lemar Gayle led the No.4-seeded Falcons (27-7) with 17 points, nine rebounds and six assists. Cedric Lusk scored his 17 points in the second half for Cerritos, including four three-point baskets.