SANTA ANA >> Cruz Billings had 25 points to lead the Foothill boys basketball team to a 57-50 win over rival Tustin in front of a capacity crowd at Foothill High.

Foothill (9-0) only led by one point at the start of the fourth quarter, but Billings’ 13 points in the frame helped seal the win for the Knights.

“We always find a way to pull through in the end,” Billings said. “We prepare for these moments in practice and this wasn’t our first time playing in a big game.”

“Tustin makes it tough. They are a really well-coached team,” Foothill coach Yousof Etemadi said. “Cruz is a tough little player, but it was a team effort. Everybody that came in contributed and they are a fun group to coach.”

Playing a rivalry game in front of a big crowd was a welcome break from the monotony of playing in early-season tournaments.

“We didn’t get this experience last year so this was a real pleasure,” Billings said.

“It’s a great atmosphere to play in,” Etemadi said. “The community really supports the program here and when we have big home games, everyone shows up.”

Foothill had a 13-9 lead at the end of the first quarter, but Tustin went on a 12-0 run at the beginning of the second quarter to take its biggest lead of the game. The Knights bounced back behind Billings’ nine points in the quarter and a late basket by Colin Holt to take a 26-20 lead into halftime.

Tustin (9-2) had a big third quarter to cut the Knights’ lead to one. Eli Nyeazi had six points in the quarter and the Tillers defense held Foothill to 11 points. Nyeazi finished the game with 9 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists.

After Billings made a couple of 3-pointers to create separation, it became a game of free throws in the final minutes. Foothill made 12 out of 15 free throws in the fourth quarter. Billings made seven and Mikey Mazurie made two late in the game.

Tustin made three 3-pointers late and converted its free throws to keep the game close. Tillers football standout Tobey Schmidt made a pair of 3-pointers in the fourth and Wasi Khan made 5 of 6 free throws. Schmidt had a team-high 12 points and Khan had 11.

A key to the game was Foothill’s defense forcing 20 turnovers and trying to pick up the pace.

“We started running and pressing a bit to mix things up because we like to get out in transition and we weren’t getting that,” Etemadi said. “They did a good job slowing us down. We want to play in the 60s and they kept us down and it worked for most of the game but we broke loose in the fourth.”

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Foothill is 9-0 for the first time since 2011 and has beaten Tustin two consecutive seasons. The Knights will play Edison in the Corona del Mar Beach Bash on Saturday.

Tustin has a home game against Long Beach Cabrillo on Friday, Dec. 17.