COMMUNITY COLLEGE MEN’S BASKETBALL : Saddleback Vies for Top Playoff Seeding

Saddleback College has clinched a tie for the Orange Empire Conference men’s basketball title but still faces its most important game of the season at 7 tonight, when the Gauchos play host to second-place Riverside.

Saddleback (25-4, 12-1 in conference) holds a one-game lead over the Tigers (27-4, 11-2) going into the final regular-season game. A Riverside victory would force a tie for the championship, and more importantly make the Tigers the top-seeded team from the conference going into the playoffs.

Riverside swept third-place Rancho Santiago and Saddleback split with the Dons.

Tonight’s winner is almost assured of getting one of the top four spots in the 32-team Southern California playoff field. The top four teams play at home as long as they are in the playoffs, which start Feb. 24-25.

“One of the top four seeds rides on this game,” Saddleback Coach Bill Brummel said. “There is no question about that.”

Saddleback, ranked fifth in the state, is hoping to repeat the first outcome against Riverside, which is ranked sixth. Saddleback’s Anthony Carter scored a career-high 43 points as the Gauchos won, 84-72.

Carter, a freshman guard, leads Saddleback, averaging 20 points. Sophomore forward Eric Ambrozich averages 16 points and eight rebounds.

Brummel said the game will most likely come down to how well Saddleback plays defense and handles Riverside’s zone trap. Much of Saddleback’s ballhandling will be left to guard Frank Allen, who averages five assists. He had 15 assists Wednesday in the Gauchos’ 105-68 victory over Fullerton.

Saddleback leads the conference in defense, allowing 70 points per game. Riverside is tops in offense, averaging 95 points.