A boys basketball contest that Santa Ana led most of the night went the Saints’ way Friday night in a 66-55 home victory over Estancia.

The Saints (14-6, 3-4 Orange Coast) were led in the league matchup by  Luis Sandoval, Jack Rivera and Emmanuel Lemus as the team captured its fifth consecutive win overall.

It was close throughout the first quarter and Nick Chavez made a 3-pointer to put Santa Ana up 13-12 and the team led 17-15 after the first quarter.  

Sandoval made a 3 early in the second and helped the Saints grow their lead to as many as 14 before halftime, taking a 40-26 lead to the break.  

On the first play of the second half Rivera scored a layup before a Sandoval steal led to another. Estancia made it a little closer from there and Santa Ana needed another 3 from Sandoval late in the third to hold off the charge of  three more Eagles’ layups, bringing the score to 51-46 at the end of the third.  

Lemus made the first lay up starting the 4th quarter and Rivera got open soon after to make a 3-pointer.

Estancia made a 3 of their own, but Lemus came right back with another bucket as Santa Ana kept the Eagles at bay in the final quarter. 

Saints head coach Zach Johnson said “The third quarter has been frustrating but overall I thought we played pretty tough defense. We held a pretty good team to 55 points tonight. The big guy tonight was Luis Sandoval. He had a massive game for us tonight. Without him we didn’t have any chance.” 

“They contained our two big guys for a while but when our guys are engaged there engaged in all ways doesn’t mean just on the scores,” he added. “Emmanuel had a big game rebounding Jack had a big game rebounding. These guys played well but credit to Estancia they played really well tonight as well.” 

The win streak was snapped on Wednesday when Santa Ana dropped a 67-59 league contest at St. Margaret’s (17-5, 7-1).

The Saints return to the court tonight when they host Calvary Chapel (14-8, 7-1) at 6:30.

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