COMMUNITY COLLEGE MEN’S BASKETBALL ROUNDUP : Irvine Valley Overcomes OCC, 78-70

Irvine Valley had some big problems to overcome during an Orange Empire Conference game against Orange Coast Friday night in Costa Mesa.

Although Irvine Valley’s leading scorer, Chris Kostoff, scored only three points, the Lasers won, 78-70. Irvine Valley (11-9, 2-2 in conference) also played without Gabe Higa, the team’s second leading scorer. Higa was sick.

Then there was the Lasers’ poor shooting. They made 35% (26 of 75) of their shots from the field and 22% (eight of 37) of three-point tries.

“When we don’t shoot very well, we don’t look very good,” Irvine Valley Coach Bill Mulligan said.

Kostoff, who is averaging 24 points, missed his first 14 shots, including 10 three-pointers.

His only basket came with 1 minute 59 seconds left and gave Irvine Valley a 71-63 lead. He was one of 15 in the game, plus he missed two free throws.

Brian Linsenmayer picked up for the slumping Kostoff, scoring 15 points, including three three-pointers, all in the second half. Irvine Valley was ahead, 62-56, when Linsenmayer made two three-pointers to help Irvine Valley take a 68-60 lead with 4:04 left.

Dan Bathey had 19, and Luis Angel and Steve Ransom each had 12 for Irvine Valley.

Orange Coast (4-14, 1-3) trailed at the half, 33-32, but played well for much of the second half. The Pirates pulled even, 49-49, on a three-pointer by Jason Amorde with 12:28 left.

OCC took a 54-52 lead on a basket by Mark Moneypenny off an assist by Son Ly with 10:48 left. Moneypenny was fouled on the play but missed the free throw. Irvine Valley then went on a 6-0 run and never trailed again.

Ly and Jeff Porter had 18 points each and Darren Crooks had 17. OCC played without starting guard Todd Loewe, who was sick.

In other conference games:

Saddleback 86, Rancho Santiago 70--Antoine Jefferson scored 32 points as Saddleback (15-6, 3-1) moved into a first-place tie with Rancho Santiago and Riverside. Rancho Santiago (14-7, 3-1) started the game as the only unbeaten team in conference. Derrick Walsh had 18 and John Molle 14 for Saddleback.

J.J. Ballesteros had 15 and Beau Hossler 14 for Rancho Santiago, which trailed at the half, 40-28. It was the fifth consecutive time over three seasons that Saddleback has beaten Rancho Santiago.

Golden West 87, Fullerton 84--Golden West used two late runs to beat Fullerton, which had led much of the game at Huntington Beach. Golden West used a 7-0 run to take an 84-80 lead with 1:05 to play. Earlier in the half, the Rustlers used a 13-0 run to tie the score, 74-74, with 4:45 left.

Josh Lewis had 25 points and Dave Dunham had 20 for Golden West (9-12, 2-2). Eddie Cochran had 21 and Kevin Carlson added 15 for Fullerton (11-11, 0-4).

Riverside 93, Cypress 82--Cypress was down, 36-34, at the half but host Riverside (17-6, 3-1) was able to pull away. Robbie Shelton had 31 points for Cypress (17-6, 2-2), which lost for the second consecutive time. Darryle Flicking had 31 for Riverside.