Hagger's buzzer-beater lifts Pirates past Santa Ana

COSTA MESA -- While it probably wasn't drawn up in the timeout exactly like it was run, at the end of the day, Davasyia Hagger managed to complete the end product and the result was an incredible 66-64 win over visiting Santa Ana on Thursday night inside the Peterson Gym.

Hagger, who finished with 22 points and 15 rebounds, took a pass from DeAndre Page and dribbled towards the baseline with seconds remaining in a 64-64 tie. Just as the horn was about to go off, Hagger got of a floater from 15-feet out and the freshman banked in the game-winner, sending his Pirate teammates rushing on the floor.

With the win, the Pirates move into sole possession of third place in the Orange Empire Conference at 6-4 (8-14 overall), just one game behind second-place Irvine Valley with two games remaining for both schools. The road to the finish line appears rougher for the Pirates, who still must play at Saddleback College on Wednesday night, Feb. 18 (5 p.m.) and at Fullerton College on Friday night, Feb. 20 (5 p.m.). For the Lasers, they host fourth-place Santa Ana on Feb. 18 and play at last-place Fullerton on Feb. 20.

Deion Page added 17 points and seven rebounds for the Pirates, while A.J. Metdals came off the bench for nine big points.

For the Dons (13-12, 5-5), Ramez Michail led the way with 18 points, while Chris Kapano chipped in 13.

Coast struggled early in the game as the Dons jumped out to a 31-18 lead before the Pirates closed out the first half with a 10-2 run as Metdals and Henry Nguyen each nailed down 3-pointers to pull OCC to within five at the break, 33-28.

Early in the second half, Coast got to within a point at 40-39 before SAC ran off seven straight points to lead, 47-39. Chris Kapano sparked the run with five of the Dons' seven points.

But, with 6:27 left in the game, Henry Nguyen capped of a 16-8 OCC run with three straight made free throws to give the Pirates their first lead of the game, 55-54.

That Pirate lead continued to grow as a made free throw by Hagger and back-to-back 3-pointers by DeAndre Page and Brad Buchignani gave Coast a 62-54 lead with 4:41 left.

But, as been the case lately this season, the Pirates struggled to put the Dons away and with 1:16 left, a made layup by Kyle Kintzle capped of a 10-2 run for the Dons and tied the game at 64.

After a Michail shot was blocked by Buchignani with 24 seconds left, Coast had the ball and worked for a final shot. Finally, DeAndre Page, drove the lane and dished to Hagger, who nailed the game-winner.