A stellar defensive performance and an explosive second half led Carlmont to a dominant 56-31 victory over visiting Capuchino Wednesday night in the first league game of Peninsula Athletic League-South action.
As time expired in the third quarter, Carlmont forward Yash Malik sank a 17-foot jump shot at the buzzer and pumped his fist in celebration. The shot put the Scots (12-1, 1-0) ahead 43-22, and marked the end of a 22-point third quarter.
“I was in foul trouble early so it felt nice to help out the team in the third and get us going,” said Malik, who finished with 13 points.
Carlmont’s third quarter dominance began just 10 seconds into the half when forward Michael Costello drew a foul and hit both free throws to put the Scots up 23-18. Costello’s free throws at the beginning of the quarter accounted for two of his team-leading 19 points and ignited a 15-0 run that lasted 6:16.
The run was terminated when Capuchino forward Zach Khotz (team-leading 11 points) hit a jumper from 16 feet with 1:44 remaining in the third, but by then the Mustangs found themselves in too deep a hole.
During Carlmont’s third quarter dominance in which it scored more points than it did in the first two quarters combined, Capuchino (3-7, 0-1) committed six team fouls and was held to just four points -- reason for Capuchino head coach Pete Torres to slam his chair in frustration.
“Our team didn’t do anything special," Torres said. "Carlmont came out with more intensity and we just couldn’t match it."
“The third quarter was really indicative of how we can play for 32 minutes, it’s just a matter of actually playing like that for 32 minutes,” said Carlmont head coach David Low.
The first half, unlike the second, was played quite competitively and aggressively. Capuchino forced Carlmont into bad decision making, and there was an array of turnovers on both sides of the court.
Torres was proud of his team early on, as they kept pace with the division favorite for two quarters.
“In the first half we found the intensity that we needed,” Torres said. “The guys did a great job competing in the first half against a good team.”
Capuchino will try to end its six-game losing streak when it hosts Burlingame at 7:45 on Friday. Carlmont seeks to continue its early success as the Scots travel to Woodside on Friday, game time 7:45.
