Photo gallery:  California-Diamond Bar boys basketball

By Eric Terrazas, Staff Writer
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WHITTIER – Strong defense and a good transition game lifted Diamond Bar High School to a 64-50 victory over host California in Friday’s CIF-Southern Section Division 1A boys basketball first-round playoff game.

The trio of Marcus Favela, Leo Li and Tristan Velazquez led the way for the Brahmas (13-14), who advance to Tuesday’s second round against either top-seeded El Toro or Cabrillo. Favela scored a game-high 16 points while Li and Velazquez added 15 and 12 points, respectively.

Matt Lambrecht poured in 12 points to pace the Del Rio League champion Condors, who finish their season at 20-8.

After building a 31-22 halftime lead, Diamond Bar seized momentum by outscoring the Condors 20-13 in the third quarter.

California tried to put together a comeback in the fourth quarter. The Condors, trailing 53-36, went on a run and managed to reduce Diamond Bar’s advantage to 55-50.

The Brahmas, however, went on to secure the win by scoring the game’s final nine points.

It was Diamond Bar’s first postseason triumph since 2005.