Tritons Get Better, Handle Cougars

When Capistrano Valley defeated San Clemente in the Costa Mesa tournament championship game in December, the seventh-ranked Tritons didn’t vow revenge, just to play better.

They kept their word Thursday, handing the Cougars a 48-38 loss at Capistrano Valley in a game both coaches considered “big� since both teams have a game against defending South Coast League-champion Mater Dei next week.

“We play each other so often that both teams know the other’s strengths and weaknesses well,� Triton Coach Mary Mulligan said. “Both teams played good defense tonight. But we also got big games from Taryn Commins and Andrea Jacobs.�

Commins, one of four Tritons to score eight points, had the task of guarding Cougar three-point specialist Jenny Jennings. Jennings led all scorers with 13, but Commins harassed her into a four-for-13 night, including three of eight on three-pointers.

With starting center Kirsten Quade plagued by foul trouble, Jacobs came off the bench to score eight points and four rebounds.

In the fourth quarter, Quade landed awkwardly on her right ankle and had to be helped from the court. Mulligan said Quade was to have the ankle X-rayed Thursday night.

Capistrano Valley (12-5, 2-1) led early, 5-2, but San Clemente (14-4, 3-0) ran off 11 straight points, and the Cougars never got closer than five the rest of the way.

After watching his team’s seven-game winning streak end, Cougar Coach Pete Belanto said he was mystified its lack of intensity.

“We were totally outplayed and a step slow all game,� Belanto said. “They got to every loose ball tonight. It boggles my mind that we didn’t have more intensity.�

In other South Coast League games:

Mater Dei 68, Trabuco Hills 41--Lori Hurlbut had 13 points, including two three-pointers, for visiting Mater Dei (11-4, 3-0), which trailed by three after the first quarter but outscored Trabuco Hills (6-9, 0-3), 19-4, in the second.

Mission Viejo 54, Dana Hills 34--Tami Higham scored 27 points for visiting Mission Viejo (8-6, 1-2).