COMMUNITY COLLEGE MEN’S BASKETBALL : Rancho Santiago Takes Third With Threes

On a night when Rancho Santiago set a school record for three-pointers, it figures the game would turn on a play a foot from the basket.

Nick Holt’s free throw, after being fouled attempting a lay-in with three seconds left, gave the Dons an 86-85 victory over Irvine Valley in an Orange Empire Conference game Friday in Santa Ana.

The Dons (20-8, 8-4 in conference) took possession of third place from Irvine Valley (19-11, 7-5) with two games left.

Rancho Santiago was coming off an 81-67 loss Wednesday to Riverside in which the Dons made only two of 22 three-point attempts. But Friday, Rancho Santiago made 11 three-pointers in the first half and 17 in the game. The Dons had made 15 in a playoff game against Cerritos in 1992.

Jimmy Harris had five three-pointers, and Michael Oliver and Nick Holt each had four for Rancho Santiago. Jon Surface also had two.

Surface’s three-pointer with 1 minute 53 seconds left put Rancho Santiago up, 85-82. Irvine Valley’s Rashad Wilson made one of two free throws with 1:43 left and added a reverse lay-in with 55 seconds left to tie the score at 85.

With Rancho Santiago working the ball around, Irvine Valley was called for a holding foul with 11 second left on the shot clock and 31 second left in the game. That forced the shot clock to be reset.

Now working for the final shot, Rancho Santiago ran a pick for Holt at the top of the key but Irvine Valley was able to make the defensive switch. Holt then drove to the basket and was fouled by center Keon Clark with three seconds left. Holt made the first free throw to put the Dons ahead, 86-85.

After a timeout, he missed the second on purpose and Wilson’s shot from past half court fell short.

“Obviously that was a great win for us,” Rancho Santiago Coach Dana Pagett said. “I really think we played a good game. We’ve got to play that well to beat (Irvine Valley).”

Holt finished with 31 points. Harris had 15 and Michael Oliver 12 for Rancho Santiago.

Clark had 23 points and 17 rebounds and Wilson had 17 points and five assists for Irvine Valley.

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In other Orange Empire games:

Saddleback 89, Cypress 74--Anthony Carter had 22 and Frank Allen added 20 for visiting Saddleback (24-4, 11-1), which has a one-game lead with two left over Riverside. Saddleback hosts Fullerton Wednesday then ends the regular season at home against Riverside.

Saddleback played without center Eric Ambrozich (thumb injury).

Matt Kenney had 18 for Cypress (15-16, 2-10).

Riverside 93, Golden West 71--Rod Scheuerman had 16 points and Michael Dean added 14 for visiting Golden West (8-20, 3-9). Rodney Wills had 20 points for Riverside (26-4, 10-2).

Orange Coast 88, Fullerton 84--Damion Morbley, who made 10 of 12 free throws, had 26 points for host Orange Coast (12-16, 4-8). Tyrone Ellis added 18 for the Pirates. Marcus Austin had 37 points for Fullerton. He was 13 of 21 from the field and 11 of 14 on free throws.