COMMUNITY COLLEGE BASKETBALL : Final Rebound Saves Saddleback

When it came time for a game-saving rebound, it was no surprise that Saddleback’s Antoine Jefferson had the ball in his hands.

Jefferson had 20 points and 21 rebounds as Saddleback opened Orange Empire Conference play with a 72-71 victory over host Fullerton Wednesday.

Saddleback’s Eric Amborzich was at the free-throw line with two seconds left and the Gauchos up, 72-71. He missed both attempts, but Jefferson rebounded the second miss and time ran out.

“That was key,” Saddleback Coach Bill Brummel said. “That way, we didn’t have to survive a half-court shot.”

Fullerton had a much better chance to win the game a few seconds earlier. Fullerton got the ball with 23 seconds left because Amborzich was called for traveling.

After a timeout, the Hornets worked the ball around and guard Bobby Natoya drove toward the basket with about seven seconds left. The Saddleback defense moved around him, so he passed to the left corner where Kevin Carlson was unattended.

But Carlson, who had a game-high 22 points, missed short and the ball bounced out of bounds with three seconds left.

“This is a really important game to win,” Brummel said. “In this conference any road victory is key.”

Fullerton (15-5, 0-1) was impressive early, opening a 21-13 lead. But Saddleback got under control and rallied to lead, 40-31, at the half. Jefferson had 10 points and Sean Warren came off the bench for six in the first half.

Saddleback (11-5, 1-0) stretched the lead to 47-33 two minutes into the second half before Fullerton turned the tide. The Hornets went on a 17-3 run to tie it, 50-50, with 12:12 remaining.

Fullerton continued its strong play and Carlson had a three-point play off a steal and an assist by Tamar Ross and Fullerton was ahead, 64-59, with about five minutes left.

Saddleback rallied on free throws.

The Gauchos made five field goals in the second half, but made 21 of 23 free throws in the second half.

Jefferson was eight of 10 and Amborzich made six of eight. Saddleback’s final 15 points of the game came on free throws.

“I was horrible on free throws last season,” Jefferson said. “That was something I worked on all summer.”

In other Orange Empire Conference men’s games:

Irvine Valley 111, Orange Coast 105--Tom Airey scored a game-high 32 points, including 10 three-pointers, Rashad Wilson had 20 points, and Damon Sims added 18 to lead Irvine Valley (13-6, 1-0) at Capistrano Valley High School. Derek Roche had 30 points, including nine three-pointers, and five assists and Chauncey Woolridge added 26 points and nine rebounds for Orange Coast (10-6, 0-1).

Rancho Santiago 82, Cypress 55--Sean Amos made nine of 12 and finished with 20 points for visiting Rancho Santiago (13-5, 1-0), which ended a two-game losing streak. Amos also had 11 rebounds. Matt Kenney had five three-pointers and finished with 18 points for Cypress (9-11, 0-1).

Riverside 91, Golden West 75--Darryle Flicking, averaging 32.9 points, scored 46 points, including eight three-pointers, a single-game Riverside record. Riverside is 15-4, 1-0. Gerald Rhoden scored 20 for Golden West (7-10, 0-1).

In nonconference women’s games:

Golden West 56, Riverside 49--Michelle Kravik had 20 points and Deana Itow added 17 for visiting Golden West (19-3, 1-0). Riverside beat Golden West, 65-45, in the title game of the Fullerton tournament Dec. 30, which was the last game for both teams. Julie Jones and Kristin Brun had 11 rebounds each for Golden West.

Cypress 81, Rancho Santiago 39--Jennifer Johnson had 18 points and 16 rebounds and Yolanda Hearvey added 12 points and 14 rebounds for visiting Cypress (16-4, 1-0). Griselda Cervantes scored 10 points for Rancho Santiago (3-9, 0-1).

Fullerton 59, Saddleback 41--Visiting Fullerton (13-9, 0-1) had seven players score six or more points. Lisa Ruppe had nine points and Valory Widdison had 11 rebounds for Fullerton. Amy Feniello had 16 for Saddleback (5-8, 0-1).