HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL BEVERLY HILLS TOURNAMENT : Crespi Survives 4th-Quarter Slump to Upend Royal

If basketball games lasted only three quarters, Crespi Coach Chris Nikchevich might be a enjoying a 5-1 season instead of waking to a 2-4 record this morning.

In keeping with a season-long trend, the Celts were outscored in the fourth quarter Thursday for the sixth consecutive time. But this time Crespi escaped with a 65-55 win over Royal in a consolation quarterfinal of the Beverly Hills tournament.

“We’ve been giving games away, literally,� Nikchevich said. “In the fourth quarter we just get outscored. We’re just lucky we came out with a win this time.�

Crespi led, 54-34, after three quarters, but let Royal back into the game in the fourth.

Royal (1-4) reeled off nine unanswered points--six by Brett Osterhoudt--to start the final quarter, and closed to 59-50 on Steve Hodge’s layup with one minute remaining. Crespi went without a point for the first four minutes of the fourth quarter.

But a seven-for-seven performance at the line helped Crespi preserve the victory. In the game’s final minute, Rob Leff hit both ends of a one and one and Charles Aghajanian converted four free throws to stave off Royal.

“When it comes down to the fourth quarter, we’re playing awfully scared and it’s killing us,� Nikchevich said. “It’s something we have to turn around right away, especially before league.�

Crespi will face Mission League rival Notre Dame in the consolation semifinals today at 4 p.m. That game should give both schools an idea how they’ll fare in Mission League play because the Celts and Knights also meet in a league opener Jan. 3.

Leff got a hot hand in the third quarter and scored 12 of his 16 points to help the Celts build a 20-point lead.

Senior Randy Coleman played consistently throughout and finished with a game-high 20 points and 11 rebounds.

Osterhoudt and Hodge each scored 15 points for Royal, which has lost four straight games.

In other consolation quarterfinals:

Rio Mesa 63, Westlake 59--John Guillen scored his only two points of the game on a 15-foot jump shot with 15 seconds remaining to clinch the win.

Jason MacLean scored a team-high 15 points for Rio Mesa. Westlake’s Joey Leavitt scored a game-high 28 points.

Buena 75, Redondo 64--Lance Fay scored 21 points to lead Buena (3-2). Nick Houchin had 17 points and Jeff Dunn added 15 for Buena, which will play Rio Mesa in a semifinal today at 2:30 p.m.