COMMUNITY COLLEGE ROUNDUP : Cypress Gets Rare Victory on Saddleback’s Court

David Boyle scored a game-high 26 points as Cypress College got something rare for opponents at Saddleback--a victory.

Saddleback had won 19 of its past 20 home games before losing, 81-71, Wednesday in an Orange Empire Conference men’s basketball game.

Cypress shot well from the field for the first time in conference play. The Chargers entered the game shooting 46%, but only 36% in four conference games.

Cypress (15-7, 2-2 in conference) made 19 of 32 shots (59%) and took a 48-33 lead in the first half. Cypress finished the game shooting 49% (28 of 57).

The Chargers ended the half in impressive fashion as they worked the ball around for almost 35 seconds, before Sam Sabbara whipped a cross-court pass to an open Boyle, who made a three-pointer with three seconds left.

Saddleback (11-10, 2-3) rallied to get as close as four, 72-68, when Jody Smith made the first of two free throws with 1 minute 13 seconds left. But Smith missed the next foul shot and Boyle got the rebound.

He was fouled and made both shots to put Cypress ahead, 74-68, with 1:11 left. Boyle was seven of nine from the field. He made eight of eight free-throw attempts, including making six in the final 1:11.

For Cypress, Bill Banks had 20 points, Sabbara 14 and Robbie Shelton 13. Smith had 23, Ray Ankton had 17 and Dee Boyer had 15 points and 10 rebounds for Saddleback. Boyer had 13 points in the second half.

In other Orange Empire Conference men’s games:

Rancho Santiago 69, Orange Coast 55--Eric Dahl had 16 points and Rick Swanwick 15 for first-place Rancho Santiago (16-7, 4-1) at home. The Dons opened a 17-3 lead but OCC got as close as 41-38 with 12 minutes left. Agustin Heredia scored 25 for OCC (9-11, 1-3).

Riverside 122, Golden West 80--Fred Haygood had 33 for visiting Riverside (16-9, 2-2). Mark Johnson scored 31 for Golden West (11-13, 2-2).

In Orange Empire Conference women’s games:

Golden West 66, Riverside 65--Sophomore Jennifer Harney made a 12-footer with three seconds left for visiting Golden West (19-4, 3-0). It was the 27th consecutive conference victory for Golden West.

Riverside took a 30-18 lead early, but Golden West rallied and trailed, 38-34, at the half. Harney finished with 28 points and Jenny Sullivan had 22. Kartina Sullivan had 17 for Riverside (13-8, 1-2).

Saddleback 72, Cypress 50--Carrie Burt, Danielle Silva and Erin Schimeneck had 14 points each as visiting Saddleback (21-3, 4-0) remained in first place by a half-game over Golden West. Joan Maurer scored 18 for Cypress (6-14, 0-3).