Dons lose big lead and then game in overtime in CIF girls basketball semifinals

Melissa Lemus’ short jumper with just over six minutes left in the third quarter gave Santa Barbara High School a 50-33 lead over Calabasas in a CIF Division 3AA semifinal game. But Santa Barbara went cold and Calabasas rallied for a 72-66 overtime victory that left the Dons stunned and in tears.

Dons senior star Ivette Gil was sensational in the first half scoring 23 of her game-high 29 points as Santa Barbara led by double digits at halftime. But Santa Barbara did not make a field goal in the final six minutes of regulation opening the door for Calabasas.

Roxanna Barahman scored a team-high 27 points and Megan Charles’ three-pointer with 45 seconds left tied the game at 61. A last second shot by Santa Barbara’s Desirea Coleman did not fall as the game went into overtime.

Calabasas’ Lauren Tse made a three-pointer just seconds into overtime and the Coyotes never looked back. The Dons are 23-8 and their season may continue in the State Tournament which will be announced next weekend.