Stinging and suffocating defense plus good ball handling led the Decatur boys basketball team to a 70-59 South Puget Sound League South victory against visiting crosstown rival Todd Beamer on Tuesday to set up a potential three-way log jam for second place.

Closing out their regular season with clout, the Gators inhabit second place at 12-4 while also improving to 14-6 overall. If the Titans and Puyallup win their Friday night league match ups, they'll join Decatur at 12-4.

"Our defense had a great game," said Decatur head coach Kevin Olson. "Our double team was really working, so we stayed with it. We really wanted to keep the ball out Davis' hands. Offensively, we were really able to finish."

According to Olson, a three-way tie would necessitate a mini-tie breaker of two half games probably held on Tuesday at a to-be-determined site.. Puyallup would get the bye due to being the only one of the trio to defeat division champion Curtis.

Decatur broke away from a 30-30 deadlock early in the third quarter. Jordan McCloud drained an outside jumper ahead of a Gator steal that led to Jerron Smith's bucket. Terrell Williams followed with a steal and layin to put the Gators up, 36-30. Todd Beamer pared the margin to four twice, but Anthony Williams' rebound basket and a McCloud foul line jump shot stretched the lead back to 42-34.

From that point, Decatur continued to attack while encircling 6-foot-8 inch Titan Kevin Davis with a a string of defenders for the better part of three quarters.

Ceaselessly charging at Beamer (13-6 overall) and protecting the ball well, Decatur ran to a 66-45 dominance with 1:47 left in the fourth quarter before letting reserves close out the proceedings. During this final stretch, the Titans' Davis notched 10 of his game high 29 points to go along with 12 rebounds and four blocked shots.

"We were just in attack mode mode all game," Smith said. "I missed some shots early. I'm just glad I put it together. Jordan was rebounding well. We had the intensity and just kept playing hard."

Smith played hard to the tune of 25 points while injecting quickness into the action.

Initial quarter action featured four ties and a 14-14 knotting going into the second quarter. More fast-paced action kept the teams battling on an even keel until Smith sent the Gators ahead 25-24. As the clock ran down, Smith, while falling out of bounds, launched a three-point missile that found nothing but the inside of the net to send the Gators galloping into halftime with a 28-24 advantage.

First half ball handling skills left a lot to be desired, with the Gators contributing 15 of the 27 turnovers.

When Davis and Mac Gridley brought the Titans into ties at 28-28 and 30-30 to begin the second half, it looked like the Decatur patterns of slow starting quarters and inability to extend leads were surfacing again.

Instead, the Gators responded with the rock and sock 'em defense that ignited the quick transitions. The Gators also protected the ball well and passed for high percentage shots in their resonating second half demolition.

"We refused to let this game get away," said McCloud, who finished with 19 points and 14 rebounds. "It was easier to finish this time. I kept going at Davis to try to get him in foul trouble and got helping defense from my teammates."

Decatur's Terrell Williams scored 17 points with five steals. Anthony Williams recovered 12 rebounds. The Gators also grabbed three steals.

For Todd Beamer, Napa Mefi followed up his previous 31-point performance against Puyallup on Saturday with 18 points against the Gators on Tuesday. He scored 11 in the first quarter before running into trouble on his shot making percentage.