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The steady rise of Beckman’s girls basketball team created a few new dynamics Thursday as it played host to San Clemente in an important South Coast League game.

“There (was) more people than usually come to the games,” first-year Beckman coach Myron Jacobs said. “When you play in front of a big crowd, you get rattled.”

The Patriots eventually overcame their nerves, and the taller Tritons, with a strong third quarter to collect a 59-43 victory and maintain their grip on first place.

Ranked ninth in Orange County, Beckman (19-5, 5-0 ) outscored No. 12 San Clemente (12-11, 3-2) 20-6 in the third quarter to erase a five-point deficit at intermission.

The Patriots showed the passing, shooting and defense in the third period that has helped them beat teams such as No. 5 Santa Margarita, No. 10 Orange Lutheran, Mira Costa, St. Anthony and Rialto among others.

“I got a great team but we have to do better,” Jacobs said. “It’s a sloppy win. We got to be more self-disciplined. We got to stick to the game plan. My girls came out and got rattled at the beginning of the first quarter, which is something that usually doesn’t happen.”

San Clemente, the two-time defending South Coast champion, led 7-0 and closed the first half on an 8-0 run to lead 30-25 at the half.

But Beckman took control in the third quarter and pulled away to sweep the Tritons.

Sophomore Kaley Tam sparked the Patriots in the third by making three of her four 3-pointers off the bench to help open a 45-36 lead going into the fourth.

“I started the game with an air ball but coach was like ‘It’s OK, you got it’ and I think that really helped me,” Tam said. “During halftime, we started talking about how we need to move the ball more and I think that really showed in the third and fourth quarter.”

Junior guard Jeanette Fabella opened the third with a 3-pointer and finished with nine points. Aksharaa Prakashchander added four of her 10 points in the third.

Beckman played its best defense in the third quarter. The Patriots forced six turnovers and held San Clemente to two field goals in the period.

“Work together, communicate, that’s the key to having good defense,” said Beckman senior Natasha Jafari, whose team mixed zone, pressed and trapped.

Zeina Mitkhal, a sophomore, led Beckman in the paint with 13 points and 12 rebounds.

San Clemente hurt itself by going 2 for 9 from the foul line in the third quarter. The Tritons tallied four field goals in the second half.

The junior duo of Izzy Sims and Kiley Husbands led San Clemente with 18 and 16 points, respectively.

In other games Thursday:

In the Trinity League:

Mater Dei 58, JSerra 48: Harmony Golightly scored 16 points and freshmen Legend Tyler and Nelly Strong added 13 and 12, respectively, to lead the visiting Monarchs (19-4, 3-0). Vivian Grenald scored 30 points for the Lions (17-5, 0-3).

Santa Margarita 77, Orange Lutheran 73: Madi Lam had 17 points, six rebounds and four assists to lead the host Eagles (16-7, 2-1). Kayla Watanabe scored 23 points for the Lancers (16-6, 1-2).