The third time wasn’t the charm for the Santa Barbara High girls basketball team against Chaminade.
Falling short in two previous meetings in December, the Dons lost the Eagles again on Saturday, 71-53, in the second round of the CIF Division 3 State Tournament in front of a packed house at Chaminade on Saturday night.
Melissa Lemus scored 18 points to lead the Dons. Ivette Gil and Dessy Coleman both fouled out of the physical, fast-paced contest. Gil finished with 15 points.
UCSB-bound Mi’Chael Wright led four Chaminade players in double figures with 16 points. The Eagles used their size advantage to dominate the boards. The Dons got as close as 41-37 with 1:44 left in the third quarter.
Chaminade (29-3) advances to the quarterfinals. Santa Barbara ends the season at 25-9.
