COMMUNITY COLLEGE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL : Golden West Rallies to Defeat OCC

Golden West took over the game in the final six minutes, and as a result, has control of the Orange Empire Conference race.

The Rustlers, ranked second in the state, outscored fifth-ranked Orange Coast by nine points down the stretch and went on to a 68-60 victory Friday at OCC.

It was the 18th consecutive victory for Golden West (28-2, 8-0 in conference), which has a 1 1/2-game lead over second-place OCC with four games left. Golden West beat OCC, 85-75, when the teams met earlier this season.

“This was a big win for us,” Golden West Coach Dave Stricklin said. “We feel very fortunate. We’re in pretty good shape (in the conference race).”

Golden West led at the half, 35-25, but OCC played much better in the second half, scoring the first eight points.

The Pirates finally took the lead, 52-51, on a short jumper by Colleen Hatch off an assist by Ricarda Kuypers with six minutes 12 seconds left to play.

But Golden West rallied. Cinnamon Basco, a sophomore forward, started a 12-0 Rustler run with a layup. Next it was Melanie Iwamasa, a freshman guard, who got loose for short jumper. Then Basco added another layup to complete the first half of the run.

Golden West’s Michelle Kravik, a freshman forward, scored the next three baskets, two of which came off passes from Basco, and the Rustlers were out to a comfortable 63-52 lead with 3:38 left.

OCC rallied to within six, at 64-58, on a three-pointer by Heather Brannan with 1:33 left and got the ball back after a Golden West turnover.

But Kuypers missed a three-pointer with 1:03 left.

Frances Oda made four of five free throws in the final 52 seconds to clinch it for Golden West.

Basco finished with 22 points, Oda 14 and Kravik 12 for Golden West.

Kuypers, Hatch and Brannan each had 14 for OCC (23-4, 7-2).

In other conference games:

Cypress 71, Rancho Santiago 43--Yolanda Hearvey had 20 points and 15 rebounds for host Cypress (12-13, 3-6). She had 16 points and nine rebounds in the first half as Cypress opened a 46-17 lead.

Tamika Harold added 17 points for Cypress. Alin Perez had 16 for Rancho Santiago (4-18, 0-8).

Saddleback 67, Fullerton 46--Shelley Calhoun had 23 points on seven of 12 from the field and nine of 10 on free throws for visiting Saddleback (7-13, 4-5).

Anne Montero had 14 points also for Saddleback. Christa McDonald had 21 for Fullerton (13-16, 3-6).