Senior guard Carson Simi drilled a trio of three-pointers on his way to a game-high 25 points, and St. Mary's-Stockton held off Monte Vista, 58-55, in non-league boys basketball action on Friday night.
Simi scored nine of his 25 points in the fourth quarter, as the Rams held off a strong second-half effort by the Mustangs, who trailed by seven points entering the final quarter. Junior guard and dual-sport standout Jamar Marshall added 10 points for St. Mary's, who bolted to a 15-7 lead after one quarter and maintained that eight-point cushion headed into halftime.
Junior dual-sport standout Nate Rutchena led Monte Vista with 16 points, including eight in the fourth quarter to fuel a Mustang comeback. Senior guard Jack Stallard added 11 points for Monte Vista, while junior Anthony Santa Maria had 10 points, including a pair of first-half three-pointers. Senior Matt Musselman drilled a pair of three's in the fourth quarter to aid in the comeback which fell just short.
St. Mary's won its fourth straight, improving to 7-4 this season. Monte Vista fell to 6-3 with the loss, and has lost two straight since a win over Freedom on Dec. 11. The Mustangs will look to get back on track in the St. Ignatius Sand Dune Classic after Christmas, opening against Strake Jesuit-Houston.