Boys basketball: Mesa handles Artists

COSTA MESA - Costa Mesa High boys basketball coach Bob Serven was

obviously disappointed with a paltry 26-23 halftime lead over visiting

Laguna Beach Friday. And, evidently, he effectively conveyed his feelings

to his team at intermission.

The Mustangs outscored the Artists, 23-8, in the third quarter, en

route to a 66-40 Pacific Coast League triumph.

Mike Payne, a 6-foot-7 senior center, scored eight of his career-high

26 points in the third period blitz, which also inclued seven points from

David Conte and six from Steve Whittaker.

Payne, whose previous high was 22 this season against Aliso Niguel,

added 11 rebounds and four blocked shots to help the Mustangs improve to

12-7, 2-2 in league.

Whittaker, a senior guard, finished with 12 points, nine boards and

six assists, while Conte added six assists.

Laguna Beach, led by senior Will Blodgett’s 16 points, fell to 4-15,

0-4.

PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE

Costa Mesa 66, Laguna Beach 40

Score by Quarters

Laguna Beach 12 11 8 9 - 40

Costa Mesa 15 11 23 17 - 66

Laguna Beach - Blodgett 16, Brown 7, Ridet 6, Chatrath 4, Leahy 3,

Norfleet 2, Foes 2.

3-pt. goals - Blodgett 3, Leahy 1.

Fouled out - none.

Technicals - none.

Costa Mesa - Payne 26, Vakili 16, Whittaker 12, Conte 7, Cabico 2,

Krikorian 2, Fregoso 1, Biggio 0, Amburgey 0, Gandia 0, Clark 0, Millward

0.

3-pt. goals - Vakili 2, Conte 1 .

Fouled out - none.

Technicals - none.

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