Yorba Linda boys basketball team finishes strong to defeat Godinez 53-47 in tournament opener

Alec Mena of Yorba Linda is guarded by Robert Valdez of Godinez in Monday’s tourney game.

Yorba Linda’s boys basketball team held off a third quarter surge by Godinez to capture a 53-47 victory Monday night in the opening round of the 24-team Grizzly Invitational at Godinez.

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Connor Platt scored 12 points in Yorba Linda's victory Monday night.

Yorba Linda players warm up at halftime of Monday's game.

Alec Mena and Connor Platt led the Mustangs (4-3) with 12 points each.

Robert Valdez scored 16 points to lead Godinez (1-1).

“Any win is a good win,” said Yorba Linda Coach Jason Pietsch. “We have a tough time in the third quarter all season long and they knocked down three or four three’s early in the third which got them back into it. We finally switched to a zone late in the third. I didn’t want to get out of our man defense just because they hit a couple of shots.

“But it’s a good win, we’ve got to make free throws, we’ve got to make shots. We missed some open layups, we missed free throws.”

Yorba Linda led 26-13 at halftime but Godinez outscored the Mustangs 23-15 to cut the lead to 41-36. Joseph Lopez sank a 3-pointer at the buzzer for Godinez, but Yorba Linda was able to finish the game strong.

Yorba Linda is back in action Wednesday against Capistrano Valley at 6:15 p.m. at Godinez. Godinez plays again Tuesday at 6:15 p.m. against Capistrano Valley.

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