Balance works for Los Angeles Loyola in 103-91 win over Crenshaw

In a first-round Division I Southern California Regional playoff opener, Los Angeles Loyola and Crenshaw looked as if they were playing park league basketball, and the fans who packed Loyola’s gym Wednesday night were entertained from start to finish.

Brandon Baker of Crenshaw torched the Cubs for 45 points, including 19 in the fourth quarter.

“I was feeling it,” Baker said.

Teammate Andre Edwards scored 29 points, including 20 in the third quarter.

But Loyola’s balance proved too much, and the Cubs (25-5) came away with a 103-91 victory, earning a quarterfinal home game against Etiwanda on Saturday night.

Julian Harrell had 25 points, Jacob Hazzard 22, Khaliq Bedart-Ghani 15 and Parker Cartwright 12 for the Cubs, who saw their lead cut to 81-76 with 4 minutes 50 seconds left on a Baker three-point play.

Harrell took charge in the fourth quarter. The Pennsylvania-bound senior made all six of his free throws to keep the Cougars (24-6) from rallying. And Bedart-Ghani was a real crowd pleaser, throwing down a monster dunk in the fourth quarter that got Loyola’s students roaring with approval.

Loyola lost to Santa Ana Mater Dei in the Southern Section Division 1AA semifinals. There are 10 seniors on the roster, and Coach Jamal Adams said, “We’re trying to relish every moment.”

No. 2-seeded Long Beach Poly survived an upset bid by Mission Viejo Capistrano Valley, winning in overtime, 65-59. The Jackrabbits will play Orange Lutheran, which received 35 points from Gabe York in a 64-57 win over Dorsey.

Top-seeded Mater Dei beat Crescenta Valley, 66-47. Xavier Johnson had 25 points.

Woodland Hills Taft defeated Clovis West, 84-54, with Anthony January and Kris Yanku scoring 17 points apiece. The Toreadors will face Fresno Bullard, a 68-53 winner over Westchester.

eric.sondheimer@latimes.com