Turnbull, Caine Key Triton Victory

After a low-scoring first half, fifth-ranked San Clemente got clutch performances from its two best players in the second half to beat seventh-ranked Mater Dei, 52-49, in Tuesday’s South Coast League opener for both girls’ basketball teams.

Colleen Turnbull scored 15 of her 17 points in the second half and Debby Caine scored 14 of her 18 in the fourth quarter as San Clemente overcame a 17-12 halftime deficit.

The Tritons (11-5, 1-0) shot only 20% in the first half, but Mater Dei’s tough defensive performance left several players in foul trouble.

Mater Dei (9-3) had a 25-19 lead midway through the third quarter before Turnbull scored 11 in a 16-2 run. Mater Dei answered in the opening minutes of the fourth. There were seven ties or lead changes in the final quarter, but Turnbull’s two baskets inside, off assists from Marissa Ficklin and Caine, and Caine’s three-point basket gave the Tritons a 47-40 lead.

Caine added another three-pointer, but six points by Kristian Kirkpatrick and a three-pointer by Maile Shimoda cut the Tritons’ lead to 50-49. Caine added two free throws with 8.6 seconds left.

“That’s the best half [Caine] has played in a big game versus a good opponent this season,” San Clemente Coach Mary Mulligan said of her all-county guard. “She is so good in the clutch. Turnbull stepped it up in the third quarter, and everyone feeds off that.”

Lindsay Pavlik scored 18 for Mater Dei.