4-AA GIRLS : Tustin Upset by Torrance

TUSTIN — Freshman guard Lisa Misipeka came off the bench to score 14 points in the fourth quarter, leading Torrance High School to a 55-52 upset over Tustin in the first round of the Southern Section 4-AA girls’ playoffs Wednesday night.

Tustin (21-6 overall and unbeaten in the Sea View League) led by as many as 10 points in the first half.

Torrance (16-10) took its first lead, 31-29, with 2:01 left in the third quarter. The teams then exchanged leads until Tustin’s Shari Needham made a three-point basket to cut Torrance’s advantage to 53-52 with 52 seconds left.

But Tiffany Fujimoto then made two free throws to put the game away.

Torrance, an at-large entry in the playoffs, was led by Misipeka, who had 15 points and seven rebounds, and Fujimoto, who led all scorers with 20.

Wanda Sequiera and Jennifer Coombs led Tustin with 12 points apiece. Nancy Vinh added 10, and Needham had nine.

Tustin’s Christine Garner, who entered the game averaging 16 points a game, scored eight points in the first half. But Torrance held her scoreless after that.