COMMUNITY COLLEGE ROUNDUP : Strong Defense Key for Saddleback

Saddleback’s strong perimeter defense kept Irvine Valley’s outside shooters in check Wednesday night and the result was a 76-65 victory for the visiting Gauchos, who have a one-game lead in the Orange Empire Conference men’s basketball race with three games left.

Irvine Valley had been on a five-game winning streak, which included a 102-91 overtime victory over Riverside Friday. Brian Linsenmayer made seven three-pointers in that game.

But against Saddleback, Irvine Valley’s guards had trouble getting open and made only four of 25 three-pointers. Rashad Wilson made one of nine, Josh Porter one of seven, and Linsenmayer one of five.

“We say that the one thing we do well is play defense,” Saddleback Coach Bill Brummel said. “The rest of the conference is shooting (39%) against us.”

Irvine Valley’s outside game is normally opened up by the inside play of center Keon Clark, who averaged 27 points in the Lasers’ previous six games.

Clark had 19 points and nine rebounds but fouled out with 7 minutes 50 seconds left. “Our plan was to let the big guy go and try to shut down their outside game,” Brummel said. Saddleback forward Eric Ambrozich got two quick fouls in the first half so Brummel rotated Jeff Rick, Keith Gwyn and Brian Perkins to contend with Clark.

Saddleback outscored Irvine Valley, 20-6, in the final 11:50 of the first half to lead at the break, 36-30. The Gauchos quickly increased the lead to 10 early in the second half.

Saddleback made only six of its first 15 free throws in the second half allowing Irvine Valley to have a chance. Wilson’s three-pointer with 2:05 left cut the lead to 66-60. But Saddleback’s Frank Allen made two free throws and Anthony Carter added two more for the Gauchos, who led, 70-60, with 1:22 left.

Carter finished with 25 points and Micah Kroeger had 14 for Saddleback (23-4, 10-1). Wilson had 13 for Irvine Valley (19-10, 7-4), which is in a third-place tie with Rancho Santiago. The Lasers play at Rancho Santiago at 7 p.m. Friday.