PHOTOS: Crean Lutheran opens Empire League play with home victory over Tustin

Crean Lutheran’s Kaiden Bailey drives the lane Tuesday as Tustin’s Johnny Sagarino defends. No. 21 is Carson Jue. (Photos courtesy Crean Lutheran Shutterbugs / John Luciano and Howard Lyon).

Crean Lutheran High School’s boys basketball team opened defense of the Empire League title with a 52-45 victory over Tustin Tuesday night at Crean Lutheran.

The Saints have captured the league title the past two seasons with a 10-0 record and have now won 22 league games in a row dating back to 2020.

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

Dylan Gomez of Crean Lutheran attempts a three-pointer.

Josh Birket of Tustin goes up for a shot vs. Crean Lutheran.

Crean Lutheran students have some fun at Tuesday's game.

Patrick Miranda of Crean Lutheran shoots a free throw.

Crean Lutheran coaches and players meet during a timeout.

Kaiden Bailey of Crean Lutheran goes up for a shot as Tustin's Eli Nyeazi defends.

Kaiden Bailey scored 16 points and had three rebounds to lead Crean Lutheran. Patrick Miranda had nine points and Kenneth Bailey five points and seven rebounds for the Saints (12-5, 1-0).

Tustin (13-6, 0-1) put up a battle against Crean Lutheran, which held a seven point lead going into the fourth quarter. The Tillers were led by Eli Nyeazi, who had 22 points and 11 rebounds and Josh Birket, a Crean Lutheran transfer, who had nine points and 10 rebounds.

Tustin came out strong in the first quarter and led 14-7 going into the second quarter. But Crean Lutheran regrouped in the second quarter and moved out to a 25-16 lead at halftime.

Crean Lutheran hosts Pacifica while Tustin will be home against Valencia on Friday. Both games start at 6:15 p.m.