Dos Pueblos started strong, but Saugus chipped away at the lead and made some key defensive stops down the stretch to beat the Chargers 56-44 at the Ventura County Classic basketball tournament on Thursday night.
DP led 17-6 after the first quarter. Saugus stepped up its game and outscored the Chargers 21-7 in the second to take a 27-24 halftime advantage. It remained a two-point game after three quarters before Saugus broke things open in the final stanza.
Dayne Gardiner scored 14 points and Nate Johnson added 11 points to lead the Chargers (1-4).
Coach Joe Zamora noted the play of Gardiner, Brandon Burkhardt and Eli Wopat.
Dos Pueblos finishes the tournament on Saturday against Rio Mesa.
