Santa Barbara took Thousand Oaks to overtime in the championship game of the SB Holiday Classic on Tuesday, but Josh Hauser’s two free throws in the final minute of the extra period gave Thousand Oaks a 71-70 victory over the Dons.
Santa Barbara’s two shot attempts on the game’s final possession failed to drop through the net.
“I just took a couple of deep breaths, tried to block out the crowd, and I just trusted myself to make them,” Hauser said of his two free throws.
Hauser, who finished with 20 points and 6-for-6 from the free-throw line, was named the tournament’s MVP. His older brother, Matt Hauser, who scored 54 points on Saturday, returned from a one-game absence due to illness and scored 24 points.
Chris Givens had just pushed Santa Barbara into the lead for the first time in the extra period with a 3-pointer that made the score 70-69. Givens also gave the Dons a 62-60 lead late in the fourth quarter on another 3-pointer, but Thousand Oaks’ Andrew Lachina answered with a quick layup in transition to force overtime.
“Tonight we played OK but I thought that we didn’t shoot very well tonight and that made a difference,” said Lancers head coach Richard Endres. “We had to scrap for it. It was a tough ballgame.”
Thousand Oaks is ranked No. 25 in the most recent L.A. Times’ prep basketball rankings and holds the No. 49 ranking in all of California according to Maxpreps.
“What else can you ask for, we had a chance to win the game,” said Dons head coach David Bregante. “You can’t ask for more than that, so I’m satisfied with the way things are going with this team.”
The Dons began the fourth quarter trailing 48-45 but quickly took a lead on back-to-back 3-pointers by Bolden Brace. Another basket by Max Henderson pushed Santa Barbara’s lead to 57-52. Thousand Oaks’ defense then forced a 10-second violation and got a steal for consecutive stops, allowing the Lancers to take back the lead 58-57.
A basket by Josh Hauser put the Lancers up 60-57 until the Dons swung momentum back in their favor. Ben Clay’s layup made it a one-point game. Needing a big basket on their next possession, Clay grabbed an offensive rebound, passed to a cutting Brace, who then kicked it out to Givens for a baseline 3-pointer that made the score 62-60.
Thousand Oaks’ biggest lead was a 29-22 advantage in the second quarter.
Brace led Santa Barbara with 18 points. Max Henderson and Chris Wagonhurst added 16 each. All of Givens’ 12 points came on 3-point baskets.
Thousand Oaks improves to 14-2 on the season. It was the Lancers’ sixth game decided by four points or less. They are 5-1 in those games.
“The team has won a lot of close games now, and tough games, and that’s the sign of a team that could go far,” Endres said.
Glendora defeated Newbury Park 67-58 in the tournament’s third-place game. Pioneer Valley claimed the consolation championship with a 63-61 triumph over Lompoc. Full scores below.
Santa Barbara’s Max Henderson drives into the lane for an open look at the basket. (Presidio Sports Photo)
MORE HOLIDAY CLASSIC SCORES
Thousand Oaks 71, Santa Barbara 70, Overtime (Championship)
Glendora 67, Newbury Park 58 (Third-Place Game)
Pioneer Valley 63, Lompoc 61 (Consolation Championship)
North Hollywood 73, Canoga Park 44
Santa Maria 66, Carpinteria 54
Flintridge Prep 55, Nordhoff 43
Bishop Diego 56, Roosevelt 53, Overtime
Channel Islands 77, Hueneme 44
