IRVINE – Crean Lutheran’s Michael Bagatourian is quickly learning that while the spotlight shines brightest in rivalry matchups, stage presence in the fourth quarter is what matters most.
“It takes a lot of heart and a lot of defense,” the sophomore said of what is required to pull out a victory.
Buoyed by Bagatourian, the Crean Lutheran boys basketball team knocked off St. Margaret’s, 51-48, Friday night to force a tie for first place in the Academy League.
The win snapped the Saints’ five-game losing streak against the Tartans (14-5, 5-1), which dated to Feb. 3, 2012.
“These guys really wanted the win, especially after Tuesday night when we got upset here at home (by Sage Hill),” said Crean Lutheran coach Josh Beaty.
The Saints (16-2, 5-1), who have won 14 of their last 15 games, implemented an unrelenting press and received a series of timely baskets in the final frame.
Bagatourian scored nine of his 20 points in the fourth and played lock-down defense against arguably the best player in the league, St. Margaret’s Brent Cahill.
Crean Lutheran consistently limited Cahill, the Academy League player of the year in 2013-14, from finding open shots. Cahill, who leads the league in scoring with 23.5 points per game, was held to five points. The senior went 1 for 12 from the field.
“With Michael, it’s just not his shot-making, he was guarding (Cahill) down the stretch, mostly in the fourth quarter,” Beaty said of Bagatourian. “He limited a really good player.”
There were three fourth-quarter ties, but Bagatourian’s 3-pointer from the left corner, coupled with a key baseline turnaround jumper with 56 seconds remaining, helped Crean Lutheran take the lead for good at 49-47.
After St. Margaret’s converted one of two free throws with under a minute to go, the Saints’ Brett Kittelsen knocked down a jumper in the lane with 14 seconds on the clock.
As the seconds ran down, the Tartans’ Brian Murphy launched a 3-pointer from deep beyond the left wing, but the ball hit the iron and bounced toward the left baseline.
Christopher Murphy had 19 points to lead St. Margaret’s, which had a 10-game winning streak snapped, and Brian Murphy added 17 points.
