Steen’s 32 Points Key Fullerton’s Overtime Victory Over Long Beach

Anthony Steen gained a little confidence making a few inside shots Friday and the took that positive feeling outside and made eight three-pointers to help Fullerton beat visiting Long Beach, 89-86, in overtime in a Southern California first-round playoff game.

Steen finished with a season-high 32 points, including 20 in the second half and three more in overtime.

He was 12 of 19 from the field, making eight of 12 three-pointers. Six of his three-pointers came in the second half.

“When I made a short jumper [in the first half],” Steen said, “that got me going. I’m usually just the designated shooter. They get mad at me in practice when I start driving to the basket.”

Steen made his last three-pointer in overtime and it put Fullerton ahead, 78-77, with 3 minutes 39 seconds left.

Sterling Rachal, who had six of his 14 points in overtime, scored on a layup with 1:46 left that gave Fullerton an 85-79 lead.

From there it was a matter of making key free throws. Brian Montonati and Ernie Burries did.

Montonati, who dominated inside with 20 rebounds, made two free throws to put Fullerton ahead, 87-83, with 51 seconds left. He also had 10 points.

Burries, who had eight assists in only his third start at point guard this season, then made two free throws with 16 seconds left to put Fullerton ahead, 89-96.

Long Beach’s Fabion Nixon (31 points) missed a three-pointer with two seconds left.

“Wow,” Fullerton Coach Dieter Horton said. “What a game . . . This is fun. I’m proud of our kids.”

Neither team played with much intensity in the first half and Long Beach led, 33-31. Long Beach, which finishes 15-15, then increased the lead to, 59-51, with 8:32 left left. Fullerton hadn’t scored in nearly four minutes when Steen stepped inside the Long Beach perimeter defense and made a 15-footer to make it 59-53 with 8:21 left. Steen had a key three-pointer from about 23 feet that tied it, 71-71, with 1:07 left.

Fullerton’s Rachal then forced the overtime with a inside basket with 35 seconds left. Long Beach’s Chris Hardy missed a three-pointer with three seconds left in regulation.

Erick Ashe added 18 for Fullerton, which advances to Wednesday’s second round. The Hornets meet the winner of Cerritos (22-7) and Imperial Valley (8-22), which meet at Cerritos at 7 tonight.

Elsewhere in the Southern California Playoffs:

Cypress 108, Santa Monica 104 (3 OT)--A.D. Lamoureux clinched the victory for Cypress when he made two free throws with two seconds left in the third overtime to upset 10th-seeded Santa Monica.

Frankie Floyd of Cypress had 20 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists to lead Cypress (15-15). Cypress advances to the second round of the playoffs on Wednesday against the winner of the Chaffey and Rancho Santiago, which play tonight. Santa Monica finishes at 22-9.

Santa Barbara 68, Saddleback 64--Mark Kepler had 23 points and 10 rebounds as Santa Barbara (16-14) upset Saddleback in the opening round of the Southern California Playoffs.

The Gauchos led by 10 with 2:40 to play in the first half. Santa Barbara came back and controlled the rest of the game.

Duane Jeter scored 21 points for Santa Barbara (16-14). Sean Morris scored 20 points for the Gauchos (19-11).