DIVISION III-A BOYS’ BASKETBALL : Big Quarter Gets Pacifica Past Pasadena Blair

LA CANADA FLINTRIDGE —  Pacifica used a 35-point third quarter and a full-court press to beat Pasadena Blair, 84-74, in Southern Section III-A boys’ basketball quarterfinals Tuesday night at La Canada High School

Center Jon Surface was perfect from the floor in the third quarter that saw the Mariners (25-1) outscore Blair by nine. Surface was six for six, including two three-pointers and two free throws.

Trailing 38-34 at halftime, the Mariners tightened their full court pressure, which allowed Blair point guard Jecarl Riggins to score 16 first-half points and build the Viking lead to as much as 15 in the second quarter.

After trading baskets early in the second half, Pacifica forced three consecutive turnovers. Surface’s three-pointer and free throw tied the score, 60-60, with 1:13 left.

Jaimi Bessho hit a three-pointer off the next Viking turnover to give the Mariners the lead for good.

Blair held Pacifica’s Chris Vlasic to only three points. Vlasic was 1 for 10 from the field, and didn’t score a point in the Mariners’ big third quarter.

Surface finished with a game-high 38 points and Erik Maurer added 11 for Pacifica.

Riggins scored 31 points and Dan Cadd added 17 for Blair (18-9).

Pacifica will face La Canada in a semifinal game Friday at site to be determined.