Orange County Community College Basketball : Rancho Santiago Defeats Saddleback, 65-60

Rancho Santiago College made only 3 of 15 three-point attempts Saturday night, but two came in the final 2:31 as the Dons defeated Saddleback, 65-60, in front of 650 in an Orange Empire Conference game at Mission Viejo.

It was the 16th consecutive victory for first-place Rancho Santiago (5-0, 22-3), which also is the top-ranked team in Southern California and second in the state.

Sophomore guard Simon Thomas made the first of the Gaucho key three-point baskets.

Saddleback had taken a 58-57 lead on two free throws by guard Renny Ingram. Then, the Dons settled into a patient passing offense.

The Dons moved the ball across the top of Saddleback’s zone defense along the 19-foot 9-inch stripe until Thomas was able to slide open on the right side to make his shot, which put Rancho Santiago ahead, 60-58. Thomas, who was 1 of 5 from three-point range, finished with seven points.

After a Saddleback miss, the Dons ran the 45-second clock to eight before Chris Jackson made the game-sealing, three-point basket to give Rancho Santiago a 63-58 lead with 1:30 left.

Jackson, also was 1 of 5 from the three-point area, had 11 points. Chris Jefferson led Rancho Santiago with 21 points.

Saddleback’s Vincent Smalls scored a career-high 30 points. Smalls, a 6-foot 4-inch forward, was 11 of 12 from the field and 8 of 10 from the free-throw line. All of Smalls’ baskets came from inside three feet as he was able take advantage of the fronting Rancho Santiago defense.

Tom Desiano scored 12 of his 16 points for Saddleback in the first half as the Gauchos (3-2, 18-6) opened a 27-15 lead with 6:10 left in the half, although Rancho Santiago cut the lead down to 33-32 by halftime.

Citrus 83, Orange Coast 66--Kevin Kurz scored a game-high 33 points and Reggie Brown and Rob Arnett each scored 17 as the Fighting Owls (2-3, 13-10) upset the Pirates (2-3, 20-6) at Costa Mesa. Rob Mase had 18 points and Mike Kelly 15 for Orange Coast.

Citrus put the game away midway through the second half with a 12-2 run that gave it a 69-54 lead.

Cypress 83, Riverside 57--Andy Olivarez had 28 points and 9 rebounds for the Chargers (3-2, 15-11) at Cypress. Dave Kirksey added 16 points. Riverside (0-5, 12-17) was led by Mike Stewart’s 17 points.

In the South Coast Conference:

Cerritos 96 Golden West 76--Ron Fischer scored 22 points to lead the Falcons (7-1, 22-3) to the victory. Every player for Cerritos scored. Golden West (0-8, 4-17) was led by Anthony Howard’s 24 points.