Pirates pick up crucial win with 72-67 victory over Bobcats

COSTA MESA -- The Orange Coast College men's basketball team has a way of pulling you out of your comfort zone and on Wednesday night, it was mission accomplished for the Pirates as they pulled off a 72-67 upset win over visiting Saddleback College in a crucial Orange Empire Conference matchup.

Sam Hunter led the Pirate offense with 17 points, while Jydon Hall added 16 points. Trent Williams knocked down 11 points, while Logen Howard contributed 10 for the Pirates (15-11, 7-6 in the OEC). Jaiden Greene was strong on the boards against a bigger, taller Bobcat squad and grabbed a team-best 12 rebounds. 

For the Bobcats (17-9, 9-5), Gerald Jones III led the way with 26 points and 11 rebounds, while Nick Bowden and Jimuel Reyes each added 13 points.

The ragged tone was set in the first half as both teams struggled to find any type of offensive rhythm. After the first 20 minutes of play, both teams had to settle for a 22-22 tie at the half as they combined to shoot an icy 13-of-55 from the floor (23.6%).

Both teams picked things up on the offensive end and both teams stayed close to each other through most of the opening minutes of the second half, with OCC leading, 44-42 with 12:43 remaining in the game.

But, over the next three minutes, Coast outscored the Bobcats 12-3 to grab a 56-45 lead as the Pirate offense began to heat up and the OCC defense clamped down.

With under a minute to go, Saddleback made one final push as a made 3-pointer by Elijah Al-Debaran got the Bobcats to within four at 69-65, but Coast made some crucial free throws down the stretch to preserve the advantage and held on for the win.

The victory keeps the Pirates in the playoff hunt with three contests remaining. In the five-team logjam just below first-place Fullerton, Coast is one loss behind Saddleback (9-5), Cypress (9-5) and Riverside (8-5) and even with Santiago Canyon (7-6).

OCC will return to action on Friday at Golden West College, beginning at 7 p.m. before returning to the Peterson Gym on Tuesday against Santa Ana, also at 7 p.m. (TICKETS)