NEWPORT BEACH – Second chances at redemption are hard to come by, but Randall Walker made amends for a last-second turnover Friday night by scoring 45 points, including 31 in the second half and overtime, as No. 4 Edison escaped with a 75-70 victory over Newport Harbor.
The visiting Chargers turned the ball over on their last three possession of regulation and trailed in overtime in the Sunset League contest, but Walker came up big in the tense moments of the contest. He sank a pair of free throws with under five seconds remaining in overtime.
Edison (15-3, 3-0) pushed its win streak to six. David Atencio scored 11 points for the Chargers.
Edison jumped on the Sailors early and took a 17-7 lead late in the first quarter, but Newport Harbor (12-8, 1-2) ended the opening frame on an 11-2 run and closed within 19-18.
Collin Pipkin, who finished with a team-high 25 points, kept the Sailors close with a pair of 3-pointers in the first quarter.
Newport Harbor continued its run into the second and took a 22-19 lead, but back-to-back 3-pointers by Matt Serven helped the Chargers take a 29-25 advantage.
The back-and-forth nature of the game continued in the third quarter. The Sailors went on top, 41-39, with a putback by Dayne Chalmers (16 points) and steal by Zach Blaine (11 points).
Walker responded to the challenge as he attacked the basket with ferocity. He scored 10 points in the third and 14 in the fourth quarter.
Edison entered the fourth quarter holding a 48-47 lead and fell behind by five midway through the period. Sam Barela scored a pair of baskets to make it 55-50.
The Chargers chipped away at their deficit and got keys stops thanks in part to the defense of Josh Phillips, who finished with seven blocks.
Newport Harbor’s Pipkin sank a 3-pointer, but Walker kept scoring inside and tied the score. He added seven points in OT to help secure the win.
