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Tim Burt. Sports HS Reporter.

// MORE INFORMATION: Associate Mug Shot taken August 31, 2010 : by KATE LUCAS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

IRVINE – Woodbridge’s boys basketball team battled back from a five-point halftime deficit to defeat Beckman, 65-60, in a third-place Pacific Coast League tiebreaker game Friday night at Woodbridge.

Woodbridge (15-13) earned a spot in the CIF-SS 2AA playoffs.

It was the second consecutive comeback win for the Warriors, who rallied from a 17-point deficit Thursday night to defeat University, 77-72, which helped force a three-way tie for third place.

Woodbridge won a coin flip and earned a bye in the league playoff tournament.

Beckman defeated University, 103-80, Friday afternoon to advance into that night’s contest about two hours later. The Patriots (13-16) needed to also defeat Woodbridge to qualify for the CIF playoffs.

Mitchell Rausch scored 23 points, including 14 points in the third quarter, to lead Woodbridge. He also made seven 3-pointers.

“It was fortunate for us that we got the bye and Beckman played the track meet against Uni early,” said Woodbridge coach John Halagan. “They had us buried early again and it took everything we had to withstand that and fight all the way back.”

Ty Calhoun scored 13 points and Sebastian Hooshmand added 12 points for Woodbridge.

Dylan Thoerner scored 16 points and Jean-Claude Demont eight points for Beckman. which defeated Woodbridge, 102-66, on Tuesday.

The rematch three days later had much more suspense, with the teams tied, 48-48, going into the final quarter.

Contact the writer: tburt@scng.com