Pirates falter down the stretch to Gauchos
| Final | 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Orange Coast (7-15, 0-7) | 25 | 25 | 50 |
|
Saddleback (20-3, 6-1) | 30 | 43 | 73 |
MISSION VIEJO -- For the second time this season, the Orange Coast College men's basketball team made things uneasy for Orange Empire Conference standout Saddleback College, but in the end, the Gauchos had too much firepower and pulled away from the Pirates, 73-50, on Friday night at The Brummel Dome.
OCC's relentless defensive pressure helped force 20 turnovers by the Gauchos (20-3, 6-1 in OEC), but the host's size allowed for more aggressive drives down the lane as Saddleback finished the night 21-of-39 (53.8 percent) from the floor and 24-of-34 from the free-throw line.
Coast (7-15, 0-7), managed to put up 16 more shots than the Gauchos, but managed just 32.7 percent from the floor (18-of-55).
Parker Romo led the OCC offense with nine points, while Josh Mendoza, Kamar Reese, Nate Harding and Tim Pena each added seven.
For the Gauchos, Breaon Brady had 20 points and nine rebounds, while Reggie Varner added 12 points and T.J. Shorts and Jake Hawes each tossed in 10.
The Pirates will return to the Peterson Gym on Wednesday night to host Riverside City College, beginning at 5 p.m.
