The Dons came ready to play after a five day break and started firing right from the tip. Starting guard Zubin Acuna quickly found Jack Bayless cutting through the lane for the opening bucket. Hardly before the net could stop swinging Zubin hit a three pointer to tie the score. Jack Bayless got loose and finished a soaring layup with the shot clock about to expire. Nathan Bennett then had an assist to Koleton Fenton in the lane for two points. The Dons continued to pour it on when Bayless pulled up in the lane for a jumper, sinking it to add to the score. Landon Santos stepped into two consecutive back to back three point shots and forced Miramonte to call a timeout to stop the action with the score 18-7 Dons. The quarter ended with Jack Bayless hitting two free throws and Dominic Sarica driving and extending for a scooping layup beyond the reach of the defenders. Score after one quarter, Dons 22-18.
The second quarter was quiet with both defenses stepping up and limiting offensive production. Highlight of the quarter found Levi Rudin cutting to the basket on a Miramonte shot, pulling an offensive rebound and scoring on a put back. Dons lead by two points at halftime.
The third quarter brought back the offensive excitement. Bennett Dodge working the post found Koleton cutting through the lane for a lay up from the left hash. Ethen Torres came away with a steal and drove the length of the court for a driving layup. Landon Santos stepped into another three pointer to stretch the lead to seven. Jack Bayless made two more free throws and keeping the fire lit Landon Santos hit his fourth 3 pointer of the evening to give the Dons a twelve point lead. Showing the Dons could work the ball inside as well as outside, Bayless pulled up in front of the rim and dropped one in splitting the defenders.
Bennett blocked a shot on defense and controlled the ball himself giving the Dons another possession. At this point Miramonte made a monumental mistake that they are still regretting and that entailed leaving sharp shooting Zubin Acuna alone at the three point line on three separate possessions. Zubin went three for three hitting shots beyond the arch for 9 points in less than 2 minutes. Showing off his athleticism, Nathan Bennett pulled an offensive rebound and scored on a layup to give the Dons a 25 point lead. Acuna once again made his presence felt hitting a two pointer from the top of the key and at the close of the quarter was fouled making both free throws. Dons lead 53-24.
The Dons stayed tough on defense in the fourth quarter holding Miramonte to ten points. Eli Brent had an assist to Dominic Sarica for a made set shot from the free throw line. Taran Krishnan started a fast break beating defenders down the court for a dynamic scoring layup. Krishnan, once again feeling the flow, juked into the lane on the right side of the key, cut back left and drove all the way to the basket for a sweeping layup. Those wondering if the Dons could stretch the lead to 30 soon had their answer when Dominic pulled a strong offensive rebound, leaped and laid it off the glass for a 61-31 Dons’ lead. The final scoring opportunity capping off a dynamic performance by Acalanes found Zubin Acuna passing to Taran Krishnan for a basket making the final score 63-34 Dons!
Contributions galore on the JV team’s last home game of the season. The Dons travel to Las Lomas tomorrow at 5:15 for an opportunity to break the tie we were left with after the last matchup.
Photo credits go to a combined effort from the cell phone brigade.