PHOTOS: Troy battles but falls to La Mirada 50-43 in semifinals of Covina Tourney

Troy guard Rheis Chang tries to move the ball against a swarming La Mirada defense during the teams’ semifinal game in the Covina Tournament. (Photos courtesy Jim McCormack for OC Sports Zone)

Statistical reality … it was playing a much bigger team … and the style of play … physical … clearly put Troy’s boys basketball team at a disadvantage in its Saturday night Covina Tournament semifinal clash with La Mirada.

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

Kyle Phan scored a team-high 13 points in Troy's 50-43 loss to La Mirada in the semifinals of the Covina Tournament.

Troy's Pierre Heywood drives for the basket during the Warriors' semifinal game with La Mirada in the Covina Tournament.

Troy's 6-foot-1 Pierre Heywood defends against La Mirada's 6-7 sophomore, Jorge Ochoa in the teams' Covina Tournament semifinal game. Ochoa scored a game-high 18 points in the Matadors' 50-43 win.

Troy's Justin Trujillo takes a tumble after being fouled by La Mirada's Aidan Nasser during the teams' semifinal game in the Covina Tournament.

Troy's Justin Trujillo puts up a shot during the Warriors' Covina Tournament semifinal game with La Mirada

Troy's Oxylon Ward flips in two of his eight points over La Mirada's Jalen Cole in the teams' semifinal game in the Covina Tournament.

And while the Warriors were warriors much of the night, those circumstances proved too much to overcome as La Mirada pulled away in the final three minutes to defeat Troy 50-43. As a result, La Mirada will play Los Altos in the championship game of the 66-year-old tournament Monday night at 7:30 after Troy and host Covina battle for third at 6 p.m.

La Mirada’s size, a physical game and the drain of having to play three overtimes Thursday to advance to the matchup against La Mirada were obstacles the Warriors had to overcome, and they nearly did. But Troy coach Scott Blake wasn’t interested in moral victories.

“We have to learn to play tougher,” he said.

Having said that, Blake had to be pleased with the way his team responded not only to the challenges described above but to a La Mirada defensive alignment that had 6-foot-7 Jorge Ochoa at the top of defense when the Matadors were in a zone and guarding a Troy guard when they were playing man. And, the Matadors pressed the entire game. Those tactics took time off the clock and significantly impeded Troy’s 3-point shooting opportunities.

Even so, the score was tied at 29 entering the fourth quarter and Troy was within two, 35-33, with 2:41 to play when a couple of missed free throws and two turnovers led to easy baskets and the Matadors were able to secure the victory.

Kyle Phan had 13 points to lead the Warriors and Xyklon Ward added eight points. Ochoa led La Mirada with 18 points.

-Courtesy Jim McCormack, For OC Sports Zone