COMMUNITY COLLEGE BASKETBALL REGIONALS : Saddleback’s Borella Scores 25 in Victory Over Rio Hondo

Josh Borella scored 25 points as Saddleback College defeated Rio Hondo, 70-62, in a Southern California Regional men’s basketball playoff game Saturday in Mission Viejo.

It was the second consecutive game in which Borella, a freshman guard, scored 25 points.

Saddleback (17-12) opened a 15-0 lead after four minutes, but Rio Hondo rallied and trailed, 29-24, at the half. Rio Hondo got as close as a point, 31-30, with 17:33 left.

But Saddleback center Dee Boyer scored six of his team’s next eight points and the Gauchos took a 39-32 lead. Boyer had 16 points and 13 rebounds, and Ray Ankton had 12 points. In the second half, Boyer scored 12 points and Ankton 10.

Saddleback travels to MiraCosta in a second-round game Wednesday. Rio Hondo finishes its season 19-13.