Campbell squeezes past Kaiser in league playoff opener

Brien Ing | SL

Campbell built an eight point lead at the half, then held off a relentless Kaiser squad to come away with a 34-31 win in the opening round of the OIA Division I playoffs.

With 10.4 seconds left in regulation and the Sabers clinging to a one point lead, Sean Sardon was fouled as the Cougars scrambled in the closing seconds to get possession back.

Game on the line and two attempts in a one-and-one trip to the line for Sardon didn't appear to phase him at all, as he calmly stepped up and swished both attempts to extend the lead to three.

On the ensuing Kaiser possesion, the Cougars raced the ball up to the frontcourt and skipped the ball cross court to look for the game tying three, but the attempt released after the buzzer, and the comeback fell just short.

No Campbell players reached double figures. Diego Betancourt led the way with seven points, to go along with six apiece for Sardon and Dominic Espinda.

Kaiser was led by Seth Harman, who scored 11 points.

Next up for the Sabers is a rematch with West Division top seed Mililani on Tuesday. The Trojans won the first meeting between the two teams, 59-35, back on Jan. 12.

The Cougars ended their season with an 8-6 mark overall.