Nguyen good for Mesa

COSTA MESA — With just under a minute remaining, Costa Mesa High senior Hao Nguyen knocked down a crucial three-pointer to help lead the Mustangs to a 61-58 Orange Coast League victory over cross-town rival Estancia in the regular-season finale for both teams at Estancia Wendesday.

Nguyen’s three-pointer gave the Mustangs (17-10, 5-4 in league), a 59-56 lead. Then, Estancia missed a three-pointer of its own and Costa Mesa’s Moses Titus was fouled. He hit both free throws and the Eagles scored at the buzzer on a putback for the final points.

Larry Puente scored a game-high 24 points, Titus added 14 and Miguel Molina contributed 10 for the Mustangs, ranked No. 13 in CIF Southern Section Division III-A.

Estancia (2-21, 0-9) also had three players in double figures led by Blake Pinto’s 19. Troy McClanahan scored 12 points and Trevor McDonald finished with 11. The Eagles also played tough throughout, but never led, Costa Mesa Coach Jeff McDaniel said.

“We responded real well in the second half,” McDaniel said. “They were playing well. They are a much better team than their record shows. But we responded well in the second half. It’s good to get on a roll, so if we get that at-large bid into the playoffs.”

Mesa is expected to compete in the CIF playoffs and will learn their matchup on Sunday.

MESA OWNS THIRD

COSTA MESA — The Costa Mesa High girls basketball team broke open a tight game with a breakout third quarter en route to a 48-29 Orange Coast League win over cross-town rival Estancia at Estancia High Wednesday.

The Mustangs (16-10, 8-1 in league) and the Eagles were tied, 15-15, at the half. But Costa Mesa outscored the Eagles, 26-7, in the third quarter, which included a 17-0 run in the final two minutes of the period.

Estancia (8-13, 3-6) could not recover.

Michelle Figueroa and Miriah Malapira led the Mustangs with eight points each. Jennifer Courtney contributed 10 rebounds and Antoinette Langmos added five assists for Costa Mesa. Yasmin Arroyo scored a game-high nine points for Estancia.

Down, 15-13, late in the second quarter, Figueroa hit a jump shot to tie it up before the half.

At halftime, Costa Mesa Coach Jim Weeks tried to motivate his players. The Mustangs, ranked No. 4 in CIF Southern Section Division IV-AA, clinched the Orange Coast League title on Monday and he thought they came out lackadaisical.

“We just talked about getting rid of the attitude that we have to play,” Weeks said. “Instead we want the attitude of wanting to play. I’ve been wanting to get back to that passion of wanting to play. When we play like that we are going to be pretty tough.”

Orange Coast League Boys

Costa Mesa 61, Estancia 58

Score by Quarters

Costa Mesa 11 12 19 19 — 61

Estancia 19 16 5 18 — 58

Costa Mesa -- Puente 24, Titus 14, Molina 10, Webber 7, Nguyen 6.

3-pt. goals -- Titus 2, Molina 2, Nguyen 2, Puente 1.

Fouled out -- Molina.

Estancia -- Pinto 19, Tr. McClanahan 12, McDonald 11, Ta. McClanahan 8, Fryslie 4, McKendry 2, Hart 2.

3-pt. goals -- Tr. McClanahan 3, Ta. McClanahan 2, Pinto 1.

Orange Coast League Girls

Costa Mesa 48, Estancia 29

Score by Quarters

Costa Mesa 9 6 26 7 — 48

Estancia 5 10 7 7 — 29

Costa Mesa -- Figueroa 8, Malapira 8, Werdel 7, Gentling 6, Courtney 5, Brannon 4, Trinh 4, Rosello 3, Garces 2, Saicedo 1.

3-pt. goals -- Malapira 2, Courtney 1, Rosello 1.

Estancia -- Arroyo 9, Hallock 7, Barrera 4, Carr 3, Koff 2, You 2, Williams 1, Ulrich 1.

3-pt. goals -- Carr 1, Arroyo 1.