COMMUNITY COLLEGE MEN’S BASKETBALL : Rancho Santiago Gets to Spread the Wealth

Rancho Santiago hinted at its balanced offense in the first four minutes of the game and spent the rest of the night showing it off during a 72-61 victory over Cypress in an Orange Empire Conference game Wednesday at Cypress.

The Dons had five players in doubles figures, paced by Fred Amos’ 14 points. Amos, a sophomore center, added 14 rebounds and a Rancho Santiago single-game record nine blocked shots.

Beau Hossler had 13 points, Ruben Oronoz added 12--all in the first half--and Jason Janeski and Sean Amos had 10 each for Rancho Santiago.

The Dons opened a 10-2 lead barely three minutes into the first half, with each of the starters contributing a basket.

J.J. Ballesteros, the only starter not in double figures, had eight points.

Cypress didn’t have nearly as many offensive options. Robbie Shelton had to shoulder most of the load, and the sophomore center responded with 24 points and 12 rebounds.

Cypress appeared confused on offense much of the time thanks in part to Rancho Santiago’s pressure defense. At least twice Cypress Coach Don Johnson asked his players what offense they were running, because it looked nothing like the coach had called.

“Our offense was lacking in execution and beyond that, we don’t match up with them very well,” Johnson said.

Cypress, despite its struggles, played well enough for a time in the second half to take the lead. The Chargers went ahead, 48-46, on a dunk by Anthony Livingston with 10:37 left.

But Rancho Santiago outscored Cypress, 6-0, in the next two minutes and never trailed again. With the victory the Dons (14-6 overall) are 3-0 and in the early lead in the conference race. Cypress is 17-5 and 2-1.

In other conference games:

Riverside 116, Irvine Valley 106--Riverside appeared in control with a 108-96 lead with about two minutes left, but Irvine Valley’s Chris Kostoff made a three-pointer then stole the inbounds pass, went back behind the three-point line and made another to cut the deficit to 108-102 with 1:57 left.

But the Tigers (16-6, 2-1) made six of nine free free throws the rest of the way to hold off the Lasers (10-9, 1-2).

Kostoff had 34 points and made eight of 15 three-point tries for Irvine Valley. Lou Williams had 31 and Darryle Flicking had 30 for Riverside.

Golden West 85, Orange Coast 73--Josh Lewis had 22 points as Golden West won its first conference game. The Rustlers (8-12, 1-2) shot 60% (18 of 30) in the first half to open a 52-27 lead. Tyler Koon added 18 and Dave Dunham 17 for Golden West.

Jeff Porter had 32 points on 15-of-27 shooting from the field for Orange Coast (4-13, 1-2).

Saddleback 76, Fullerton 64--Sophomore guard John Molle had 25 points on eight-of-14 shooting from the field for visiting Saddleback (13-6, 2-1). Molle, who plays guard, had a team-high six rebounds as well.

Kevin Carlson had 18 points and Eddie Cochran 15 for Fullerton (11-10, 0-3).