Brendan Fay found Jeff Paschke for a layup with seven seconds remaining in Monday’s Jim Bashore Tournament semifinal against Arroyo Grande, lifting the Dons to a hard-fought 56-54 victory.
Santa Barbara will play Channel League rival San Marcos in Tuesday’s championship game, scheduled for 7 p.m. at Carpinteria High School.
With the shot clock about to expire on the Dons’ final possession, Paschke quickly took Fay’s pass and layed it in as the buzzer sounded.
Arroyo Grande had seven seconds to answer, but a long three-point attempt was off-target.
Paschke finished with 15 points. Emilio Gonzalez (12), Jack Baker (16) and Paschke (15) combined to score 43 of Santa Barbara’s 56 points.
Arroyo Grande’s Brennan Rivera led the Eagles with 15 points and Matt Wilkinson had 12.
AG moves on the face Rio Mesa on Tuesday for third place.
SANTA BARBARA 56, ARROYO GRANDE 54
SB – Ramos 3, Paschke 15, Tapia 2, Manzanarez 4, Wagonhurst 2, Fay 2, Baker 16, Gonzalez 12.
AG – Wack 6, Wilkinson 12, Scott 4, Williams 9, Midyett 6, Rivera 15, Smith 2.
AG 18 10 12 14 – 54
SB 15 14 12 15 – 56
