COMMUNITY COLLEGE ROUNDUP : Molle, Saddleback Overtake Riverside

John Molle, with key teammates in foul trouble, took over and helped Saddleback to an 89-69 victory over Riverside in an Orange Empire Conference game Wednesday in Mission Viejo.

Molle, a sophomore from Irvine High School by way of San Diego State, had a season-high 36 points, including 20 in the second half, as Saddleback rallied after being down, 46-43, at halftime.

Saddleback’s front line--forwards Antoine Jefferson, Brian Reider and Kevin Fricka--had four fouls each with 10 minutes 41 seconds left to play.

While the three were trying to avoid fouling out, Molle, a 6-foot-4 guard, kept on going. He made 13 of 17 shots, including four of five three-pointers.

Saddleback (16-6, 4-1 in conference) remains in a first-place tie with Rancho Santiago.

Riverside (17-7, 3-2) built a 35-28 lead with 5:01 left in the first half, but Saddleback scored seven consecutive points thanks to an intentional foul, a technical foul and a three-point basket.

It all started when Riverside’s Daniel Lyton and Saddleback’s Brian Reider went for a rebound. Reider got the ball but was pulled to the ground by Lyton, who was called for an intentional foul. Riverside Coach Bob Schermerhorn protested and received a technical foul.

Reider made his two free throws, then Molle made two. Saddleback got the ball and Derrick Walsh made a three-pointer from the corner to tie it, 35-35.

In other Orange Empire Conference men’s games:

Rancho Santiago 89, Golden West 74--Fred Amos had 21 points for Rancho Santiago (15-7, 4-1) and Tyler Koon had 27 for Golden West (9-13, 2-3).

Fullerton 78, Orange Coast 62--Kevin Carlson had 18 points for Fullerton (12-11, 1-4) and Matt Manwaren had 12 for Orange Coast (4-15, 1-4).

Cypress 89, Irvine Valley 73--Cypress (18-6, 3-2) used an 11-3 run at the start of the second half to take a 47-37 lead in the victory at Laguna Hills High School. Robbie Shelton had 29 points and 18 rebounds for the Chargers. Luis Angel had 16 points for Irvine Valley (11-10, 2-3).

In Orange Empire Conference women’s basketball:

Saddleback 56, Riverside 51--Shelley Calhoun had 23 points as Saddleback (5-12, 2-3) pulled off the upset at Riverside (17-7, 3-1), which dropped out of a first-place tie with Golden West. Calhoun was eight of 14 from the field and made six of 10 free throws.

Golden West 83, Rancho Santiago 54--Cinnamon Basco scored 17 points and grabbed 14 rebounds as Golden West (24-2, 4-0) extended its winning streak to 14 games. Rancho Santiago is 4-14, 0-4.

Orange Coast 75, Fullerton 58--Colleen Hatch had 17 points for host Orange Coast (19-3, 3-1). Christa McDonald had 14 for Fullerton (12-13, 2-3).