Tobin Shyrock stepped up defensively down the stretch to help Santa Barbara High escape with 70-67 win at Rio Mesa in a Channel League boys basketball game on Wednesday night.
The Don improved to 4-1 in league and 10-9 overall.
Shyrock held Rio Mesa’s top scorer Owen Ousley without a point in the last four minutes of the game. He finished the game with 16 points
The defense was key as the Spartans roared back from a 20-point deficit in the third quarter behind seven three-pointers.
Luke Zuffelato scored 21 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead the Dons. Carter Battle played a solid all-around game with 18 points, seven rebounds, four steals and four deflections.
Waylon Finkel and Julian Espinoza each chipped in eight points.
“Proud of the boys for finding a way to win on the road,” said coach Corey Adam. “Rio Mesa is historically a tough place to win. We shot poorly, making only three three-pointers, but that speaks to the growth of the guys as they learn to win games when shots aren’t falling.”