Boys’ basketball: Westlake pulls out victory over Calabasas

When a shooter is struggling, a made free throw can change everything, and that’s what happened to Marcos Soto of Westlake Village Westlake on Wednesday night in a battle for first place against Calabasas in the Marmonte League.

When Larry Bush missed a dunk and was given a technical for hanging on the rim with 4:32 left and Calabasas ahead by eight points, Soto made two free throws and ignited a 10-0 run that led to a 61-57 Westlake victory.

“He was horrible,” Westlake Coach Rob Bloom said of Soto’s performance for the first three quarters.

But Soto made a three-pointer in the fourth quarter and connected on six consecutive free throws to finish with 13 points and help Westlake improve to 11-4 overall and 3-0 in league.

“The technical enabled Marcos to get a couple foul shots and get his rhythm,” Bloom said.

Said Soto: “The technical was a big momentum shifter.”

Bush, who played for Westlake last season, finished with 18 points but he struggled at times against his former teammates. Michael Hayon, a former Calabasas player, had 12 points in his season debut for Westlake. The two players swapped teams and there was pressure on each.

“It’s a little never-racking, but at the end of the day you have to focus and it’s basketball,” Hayon said.

Calabasas (10-5 1-1) went on a 17-2 run in the third quarter to wipe out a 32-28 halftime deficit and take an 11-point lead. Austin Smith finished with 14 points.

Thousand Oaks defeated Royal, 73-69. Austin Arnoldini had 26 points and Nick Brandon 21 for Royal. Matt Hauser had 24 points for Thousand Oaks. Newbury Park defeated Agoura, 63-50 Tyler Cartaino scored 27 points.

Eric.sondheimer@latimes.com