PHOTOS: Tesoro’s triple threat leads way in 75-66 victory over San Clemente at Raya Classic

Tesoro players (from left) Mike Mahlen, Matt DeAngelo and Kaden Garrett led the Titans to a victory (Photos Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone)

Tesoro High’s boys basketball team took the first step toward defending its title at the Gary Raya So Cal Elite Classic at Portola.

The Titans fought off a third quarter challenge by San Clemente to capture a 75-66 victory over the Tritons Tuesday night.

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

San Clemente's Micah Regalado applies pressure against Tesoro's Kaden Garrett Tuesday night.

Tesoro's Kyle Ritscher defends against San Clemente's Cameron Kooper Tuesday night.

Tesoro Coach Steve Garrett talks to his players during a timeout Tuesday night.

Tesoro had three players score in double figures with Matt DeAngelo leading the way (25 points, eight rebounds). Mike Mahlen scored 21 points and Kaden Garrett scored 16 points.

“We give them a lot of touches and a lot of freedom,” said Tesoro Coach Steve Garrett of his three players. “I would have loved to have seen our defense play a little better, but they do a good job. Marc (San Clemente Coach Popovich) does a good job with that dribble drive offense to create gaps. It was an open flow game.”

San Clemente (6-3) was led by Berk Harris, who scored 20 points and made five 3-pointers. Cameron Kooper scored 11 points for the Tritons.

Tesoro (7-1) moved out to a 38-28 lead at halftime but San Clemente came charging back cutting the lead to 44-40 with two minutes left in the third quarter.

However, Tesoro regrouped and was able to maintain control with an eight point lead going into the final quarter.

A 3-point basket by DeAngelo with 7:15 left in the contest gave the Titans a comfortable 60-49 lead.

“We just needed to get more stops,” Garrett said. “The first half, I think they had 10 or 11 offensive rebounds. In the second half, they only had two. They were scoring so early in their offense. We just couldn’t stop that first wave of drives. Luckily, we scored enough points, we kept scoring.

“It was a shootout. We don’t mind that. We like that pace. If our defense isn’t working, we just keep bombing away.”

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