COMMUNITY COLLEGE ROUNDUP : Rancho Santiago Defeats Saddleback to End Streak

Rancho Santiago stopped a three-game losing streak and got back in the Orange Empire Conference title chase with an 89-77 victory over Saddleback Wednesday in Mission Viejo.

Despite the loss, Saddleback (21-7, 9-2 in conference) remains in front. The Gauchos lead Riverside (8-3) and Cypress (8-3) by one game and Rancho Santiago (7-4) by two games with three to play.

But the schedule is hardly in favor of Saddleback, which is at Riverside Friday and plays host to Cypress Feb. 17.

Beau Hossler and Mike Bradach both had career-high scoring games for Rancho Santiago. Hossler made eight of 10 from the field and finished with 24 points. Bradach came off the bench to get 16 points including making all four three-pointers he took.

Saddleback led, 60-55, with 12 minutes 20 seconds left, but Rancho Santiago then went on a 11-0 run to take a 66-60 lead with 8:30 left to play.

Rancho Santiago opened a 12-point lead, 73-61, with 5:13 left, before Saddleback cut it to 73-67, with 3:43 left. Bradach had a three-pointer to put the Dons up, 76-67. A minute later, Bradach got a rebound, was fouled, made both free throws, and Rancho Santiago led, 78-69, with 2:08 left.

Fred Amos, a sophomore center, had four blocks to give him 90, a Rancho Santiago single-season record.

John Molle had a team-high 21 points for Saddleback but was six of 26 from the field including making one of 12 three-pointers. Saddleback shot 37% (26 of 74) for the game.

“Defensively, we did a really nice job,” said Rancho Santiago Coach Dana Pagett. “We were able to contest shots by getting a hand up.”