Pirates pull away from Jets in second half to win, 76-69
| Final | 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
San Diego Miramar (2-2, 0-0) | 30 | 39 | 69 |
|
Orange Coast (3-1, 0-0) | 37 | 39 | 76 |
COSTA MESA -- The Orange Coast College men's basketball team took advantage of its lone opportunity of "home cooking" during nonconference play and topped visiting Miramar College, 76-69, on Friday night inside the Peterson Gym.
Ryan Fusco had 18 points, four points and four steals, despite being in early foul trouble for the Pirates (3-1). Josh Mendoza and Nate Harding each added 11 points, while Ibrahim Gerlach added 10 points and five rebounds.
For the Jets (2-2), Javan Perry led the way with 18 points, while Dor Tut added 17 points while going 11-of-14 from the free-throw line.
Coast trailed 29-24 late in the first half before a late outburst sparked a 13-1 run and gave the Pirates a 37-30 lead at the break.
OCC's lead grew to 12 at 51-39 on a DeAndre Hawkins layup, but Miramar tightened up the defense and went on a 14-2 run to even the game at 53 with 8:47 remaining.
The Jets actually grabbed a brief one-point lead (59-58) with 5:24 left before Coast pulled away with a 15-4 run, capped off with a 3-point dagger by Harding with 1:37 left to make it 71-63.
Miramar would get back to within four on a Chris Jones layup with 49 seconds remaining, but Harding came through with a pair of clutch free throws and the Jets did not get any closer the rest of the way.
The Pirates will head up to Bakersfield on Friday, Nov. 25 against Porterville (3 p.m.) for the first of several tournaments on the road throughout the rest of nonconference portion of the season. OCC will return to the Peterson Gym to open up Orange Empire Conference play on Wednesday, Jan. 4, against Saddleback, beginning at 7 p.m.
