COMMUNITY COLLEGE ROUNDUP : Dons Defeat MiraCosta in a Struggle

An example of how well the Rancho Santiago College men’s basketball team is faring this season could be found in how poorly the Dons played Wednesday.

Rancho Santiago, the top-ranked team in the state, struggled with free throws, outside shooting and consistent defensive pressure, but still defeated MiraCosta , 78-66, in a nonconference game at Oceanside.

Rancho Santiago was coming off victories over Moorpark and Ventura, both top-10 teams, last weekend in the Pasadena Tournament, so a letdown Wednesday was almost expected.

And the Dons struggled from the start, and had only 19 points after 15 minutes. But Rancho Santiago (14-1) picked it up the rest of the first half after an inspired speech from Coach Dana Pagett during a timeout.

Rancho Santiago finished the half with a 39-29 lead behind the inside play of center Corie Blount and forward Erik Martin, who combined for 26 first-half points.

Martin had 14 points in the first half and finished with a game-high 21 points and 12 rebounds.

Blount had 12 points in the first half and finished with 21. He also had nine rebounds.

Rancho Santiago’s first-half advantage could have been much more but the Dons managed to make only three of 11 free throws.

Martin was the chief offender, making only two of six in the first half and two of eight in the game. Glenn Greene was the only Don who was sharp from the line, making 10 of 11, all in the second half. Rancho Santiago made 16 of 28 free throws on the night.

MiraCosta (6-8) got no closer than nine points in the second half mostly because of Greene, who scored 14 of his 18 points.

Pagett, who set a Rancho Santiago single-game record seven last Friday, had only three points, none in the second half.