For 15 years, St. Augustine High School’s boys basketball program has been among the elite in Southern California, winning 20-plus games in 12 of the last 14 full seasons.

After a four-win season in 2022-23, Mira Mesa has rolled to 21- and 28-win seasons.

And the way they played Tuesday, the seventh-ranked Marauders appear headed toward another impressive one.

Senior Diego Ortiz finished with 29 points, three rebounds and two blocks as Mira Mesa delivered a convincing 72-58 Western League win on the Saints’ home court.

The Marauders played the final three quarters without leading scorer Tim Dorn, who tweaked his ankle seconds into the second quarter. Dorn was able to leave the game and the gym under his own power.

“I love being the engine, the go-to guy,” Ortiiz said. “I’ve had bigger offensive games, but to score 29 against the Saints in their gym is memorable.”

After a back-and-forth opening quarter that saw four lead changes, Mira Mesa opened a 10-point lead in the second quarter and led by seven at the break.

The Marauders (18-6, 4-1) led by 15 points early in the fourth quarter before St. Augustine (13-12, 3-3) cut the deficit to eight with 4:02 to play.

But a 13-4 Mira Mesa run put an end to the game.

“This was a huge game for both teams,” Ortiz said. “The winner had a good shot at winning the league. You can’t let down against St. Augustine. You have to practice hard and prepare for them.

“And you have to lock in during the game, because every possession is important.”

Mira Mesa is headed for the Open Division playoffs and, with a run, could find itself at Oceanside’s Frontwave Arena for the finals. Count Ortiz among the Marauders who are excited by that possibility.

“I went and saw the G League Clippers play there last week, and it’s a beautiful arena,” he said. “It’s somewhere I’d love to play.”

Mira Mesa will finish league play with games against San Diego, Cathedral Catholic and first-place Mission Bay.

“It’s there for the taking,” said Mira Mesa coach Jon Pierce. “But it certainly won’t be easy.”

Jase Davis backed Ortiiz with 13 points and Che Lesperance added 11.

Pai Polamaul led St. Augustine with 14 points and six rebounds; teammate Justin Murigu grabbed eight rebounds and blocked two shots.

Mira Mesa forced 17 Saints turnovers.  St. Augustine coach Mike Haupt saw his team throw away an inbounds pass with three seconds to play and said to no one in particular: “Fitting. Just fitting.”