After winning their second straight league title, the Diamond Bar’s boys basketball team continued its winning ways, defeating Woodrow Wilson High School 76-68 Friday at home to secure a second-round spot in the Division 2 CIF playoffs.

The match was close throughout, with the Brahmas gaining their first double-digit lead of the game in the middle of the third quarter.

The beginning of the game showed off both teams’ offensive strengths. However, Diamond Bar took over the contest late in the first quarter, with seniors Myles Corey and Gavin Clements making two three-pointers to gain a 22-16 lead at the end of the quarter.

Corey’s hot hands carried over into the second quarter when he scored another three-pointer for the Brahmas. However, Wilson’s Sebastian Hochmuth responded with back-to-back three-pointers, cutting DB’s lead to two points. Another three-pointer from Wilson on their next possession gave the Bruins their first lead of the game, 26-25 with six minutes left in the quarter.

The game continued to stay close until Corey and Clements scored three-pointers to regain the lead for the Brahmas. Despite running a full-court press for the remainder of the first half, the Brahmas could not convert Wilson’s turnovers into points, and the first half ended with DB leading 36-35.

After the halftime break, the Brahmas pulled ahead 49-39 with five points from senior Mike Gao and two finishes at the rim from Corey. Although the Bruins were down, their three-pointers continued to fall, and they cut DB’s lead to a single point. In the last minute of the quarter, Gao drew a foul while finishing at the rim, completing the three-point play. Wilson responded with their own layup to end the third quarter, 54-52.

The Brahmas opened the last quarter in great form, with shots falling for the boys on offense and Gao blocking multiple attempts from Wilson on defense. DB’s full-court press also began to produce points, and another three-pointer from Clements extended DB’s lead back to double-digits, 66-56. Although Wilson’s offense began to roll, the visitors did not have enough time to overcome the large deficit.

The Brahmas won 76-68 with Corey scoring 25 points, Clements scoring 18 points and Gao contributing with a double-double.

Diamond Bar will play their second-round game in a rematch against Walnut High School on February 12 at 7 pm.