Pirates stunned by Gauchos
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Saddleback (9-15, 2-4) | 16 | 9 | 14 | 13 | 52 |
|
Orange Coast (13-9, 4-2) | 15 | 14 | 11 | 9 | 49 |
COSTA MESA -- The Orange Coast College women's basketball team had a tough night at the office as the Pirates were upset by visiting Saddleback, 52-49, on Wednesday night inside the Peterson Gym.
OCC (13-9, 4-2 in the Orange Empire Conference), which entered the game tied for first place with Cypress atop the conference standings, shot just 31.6 percent from the floor (18-for-57) and hit just 3-of-16 from 3-point range, allowing the relentless Gauchos (9-15, 2-4) an opportunity to stay in the game.
Sarah Nunes hit a pair of clutch free throws with 11 seconds left in the game to put the Pirates ahead, 49-48, and after a Gauchos' timeout, Teoncea Bennett drove the lane and hit a running jumper in the key with 6.4 seconds left to put Saddleback on top, 50-49.
OCC called time out and with two seconds left, a 3-point attempt by Chyann Pendergrass missed the mark and the Gauchos held on for the win.
Jenna Rodriguez had 14 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Pirates, while Pendergrass added 10 points and six assists.
For the Gauchos, Hannah Saliba led the way with 17 points and 13 rebounds, while Bennett tossed in 15 points to go along with seven assists and seven steals.
Coast will play at Cypress on Friday (5 p.m.) before returning to the Peterson Gym on Wednesday for a Coaches vs. Cancer Night matchup against Santa Ana, also at 5 p.m.
