COMMUNITY COLLEGE MEN’S BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS : Natoya Helps Fullerton Advance

Fullerton’s Bobby Natoya had been expected to be one of the elite guards in Southern California this season. But because of injuries, he hasn’t been in peak condition.

But Natoya, although slowed by a sore ankle, came off the bench to score a team-high 19 points and help Fullerton to a 92-81 victory over Bakersfield in the first round of the Southern California men’s basketball playoffs Friday at Fullerton.

Natoya, a sophomore, also was bothered early in the season by a sore back.

“His season seems like it has been on hold for most of the time,” Fullerton Coach Roger See said before the game.

Natoya made a trio of three-pointers in the first half to help Fullerton to a 48-40 lead. But he and his teammates were more dangerous from the free-throw line late in the game.

Bakersfield moved the ball inside to take advantage of Fullerton’s foul trouble and pulled within three, 73-70, with five minutes 10 seconds left.

But the Hornets made 16 of 20 free throws in the final four minutes 38 seconds to stay ahead. The Hornets (24-10) advanced to play at Los Angeles City Wednesday in the second round. L.A. City beat Oxnard, 102-77, Friday.

Natoya made five of six free throws, Eddie Cochran and Tamar Ross each made four of four in the late going for Fullerton. Cochran finished with 19 points and Ross 15. Tyrone Merriweather also had 18 for Fullerton.

“We looked tired (most of the game),” See said. “But in the last five or six minutes we seemed to find something extra.”

The final five minutes of the first half and the early part of the second half saw the game get increasingly physical. Finally, with 12:12 left, a minor shoving match started and the officials took a timeout to let things calm down.

The game continued from there with no further incident.

In other playoff games:

Saddleback 85, MiraCosta 65--Derrick Walsh scored 13 points in the first half and Eric Ambrozich and Antoine Jefferson added 12 each as the host Gauchos opened a 52-30 lead. Walsh finished with 19, Jefferson 18 and Ambrozich had 14. Tes Whitlock had 17 for Saddleback (22-8), which advanced to play host to Rio Hondo Wednesday in the second round.

Rio Hondo (18-15) upset Cuesta, 68-64, Friday. Cuesta ended 22-10.

Saddleback has eliminated Rio Hondo from the playoffs the past two seasons.

Los Angeles Southwestern 99, Irvine Valley 81--The loss marked the second consecutive season Irvine Valley (18-15) has lost in the first round.

L.A. Southwestern (21-7) advanced to play at Long Beach in the second round Wednesday. Long Beach beat Mt. San Jacinto, 87-76, Friday.