COMMUNITY COLLEGE ROUNDUP : Jefferson’s Free Throws Help Saddleback Beat Riverside

Antoine Jefferson made four free throws in the final 22 seconds to help Saddleback to a 73-68 victory over Riverside and into sole possession of first place in an Orange Empire Conference men’s basketball game Wednesday in Mission Viejo.

Derrick Walsh scored 11 of his 18 points in the second half as Saddleback won its seventh consecutive game. Jefferson had a game-high 24 points and 13 rebounds.

The teams were tied at 64, when Walsh made a three-pointer from about 23 feet with 2 minutes 25 seconds left. Saddleback (18-6, 8-1 in conference) never trailed again.

“I felt it was in,” Walsh said. “The rotation was nice.”

Riverside (21-6, 7-2) missed two free throws and Saddleback missed three of four over the next 1:30.

Riverside’s Raimonds Miglinieks made one of two free throws with 49 seconds left to cut the lead to 68-65.

Tes Whitlock got the rebound, was fouled, and made one of two with 46 seconds left. Jefferson made two with 22 seconds left to give Saddleback a 71-65 lead.

Riverside’s Brian Dawson made a three-pointer with seven seconds left, but Jefferson added two more free throws with five seconds left for the final score.

“It wasn’t pretty and I’m not exactly sure why we won,” Saddleback Coach Bill Brummel said.

Whitlock made five of 15 shots from the field and finished with 16 points. Darryle Flicking had 23 for Riverside.

Riverside trailed, 38-31, at the half but rallied and led by as many as four, 61-57, with 5:30 left.