JUCO Playoffs: San Jac Pulls Away

KILGORE, Tex. -- Despite being the top seed, it took a while for San Jacinto to pull away from a stubborn Trinity Valley squad on Saturday night at the Region XIV Quarterfinals.

The two-time defending region champion Ravens strung together a late 19-4 run to dispatch of Leon Spencer's eighth seeded Cardinals, 63-50.

Forward Roberto Morentin was key in the run, scoring seven points over a four and a half minute stretch that boosted the lead to 52-44. Sophomore guard Danny Allen followed with a driving lay-in and a pair of free throws that extended the advantage to 56-46 with 1:39 to play.

Moments later, Allen capped the surge with a pair of free throws in the final minute that turned what was once a 42-41 deficit into a 60-46 lead.

Despite an overall sluggish offensive performance, the Ravens managed to put four players into double figures in the scoring column, including Allen (15 points), Derick Payne (13 points), Marcus West (12 points) and Morentin (10 points/8 rebounds).

P.J. Mills, a very stocky and athletic 6-6 freshman forward from Cincinnati, Ohio, led all scorers with 22 points and also added five rebounds. New Jersey native David Vega also opened some eyes with his fine overall play, pumping in 10 points and grabbing seven boards in defeat. He was also charged with the tough task of defending the Ravens' Payne and more than held his own in that respect.

San Jac will square off against Paris J.C. on Sunday for the right to advance to Monday's Region XIV final.