PHOTOS: Portola finishes strong and captures key 50-44 PCL victory over Beckman

Allyson Tabayoyong of Portola gets ready to take a shot as Jaina Santos of Beckman defends. (Photos: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone)

Portola’s girls basketball team hit some big free throws down the stretch and held on to defeat Beckman 50-44 in a Pacific Coast League game at Beckman Friday night.

To see the slide show, please click on the first photo

Beckman's Kelly Yada brings the ball up Friday night.

Allyson Tabayoyoung brings the ball up for Portola.

Jadyn Zdanavage of Portola drives against Beckman.

Alyssa Braunstein of Beckman brings the ball up in Friday's game.

Portola players celebrate after a successful play.

Portola's Moka Saiki is defended by Clesea Ebisuya of Beckman.

Sara Hameed of Beckman brings the ball up as Portola's Maddy Noh defends.

Donia Maymount looks to pass off to a teammate Friday.

Beckman fans cheer for their team Friday night.

With the victory, Portola (14-7 overall) moved into third place alone with a 4-2 record. Beckman (13-8, 3-3) dropped into fourth place.

“It was all those things we had to go through last year paying our dues to the basketball gods and learning how to not lose those close games, but pull out those close games,” said Portola Coach Brian Barham.

“Every game in the PCL is important on any given day. You never know who is going to win. When I find out after the games, I’m never surprised because we’re so equal. The partity is so amazing.”

Portola held a 33-28 lead after three quarters but Beckman charged back to cut the lead to one point. However, the Bulldogs’ Allyson Tabayoyong hit seven free throws and one 3-pointer in the final stanza to seal the win.

“Allyson put us on her back down the stretch and settled us down and ended it for us,” Barham said.

Tabayoyong wound up with 14 points. Lindsey Yee also had 14 points and Maddy Noh had 10 points for Portola. Donia Maymoun continued her dominant play on the boards with 18 rebounds. Maymoun had a school record 32 rebounds against University.

“She doesn’t care about getting the ball, she’s all about doing everything she possibly can for her team to be successful, on the floor and off the floor,” Barham said. “She is just fully committed and that’s how she contributes and she does it better than anybody.”

Alyssa Braunstein scored 16 points and grabbed 17 rebounds, Jaina Santos scored 11 points and Kate French had 10 points for Beckman.

-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com