Saddleback Wins Battle for First in Riverside

At the start of the Orange Empire Conference race, Saddleback Coach Bill Brummel said Riverside was the clear favorite.

But after Saddleback stunned host Riverside, 102-95, Wednesday, Brummel was willing to adjust his thinking.

Saddleback (19-3, 7-0 in conference) holds a one-game lead over Riverside (23-4, 6-1) at the halfway point.

Riverside, ranked fifth in the state, has lost twice at home in the last three seasons, each time to Saddleback.

“I’ve never been more pleased with a team,” Brummel said. “This is one of my better games ever.”

Saddleback, ranked seventh in the state, won with pressure defense and a solid passing game that produced easy baskets.

Anthony Carter led the way with 33 points and 15 rebounds. Caleb Ashley, a point guard, had 15 points and only three turnovers despite Riverside’s pressure defense and press.

Saddleback needed to do all of this to offset the play of Riverside’s Gary Williams. The sophomore forward had 45 points and 15 rebounds.

“I knew it was going to be tough,” Carter said. “We just had to keep our composure.”

Michael Riggins had 15 points and Scott Duffey had 12 points and 15 rebounds.

Duffy and Daryll Granger, who had eight points and six rebounds, took up the slack for starting center Roderick Beavers, who was in foul trouble from the start. He fouled out with 4 minutes 21 seconds left in the game.

Carter, who scored 45 at Riverside last season, dunked for the first basket and the Gauchos trailed only twice after that.

Riverside got as close as two, 95-93, when Gary Williams made a three-pointer with 1 minute 56 seconds left.

Carter was then called for a charge and Riverside got the ball back, but Paul Culbertson missed a three-pointer that would have put the Tigers ahead.

With 52 seconds left, Carter was dribbling just past midcourt and was fouled by Culbertson, who objected to the call and was assessed a technical.

Saddleback’s David Drakeford said to Culbertson “Nice game,” according to Brummel, and also was given a technical.

Because Saddleback was in the double bonus, Carter got four free throws, making three for a 98-93 lead. Williams made one of two free throws and Riverside had the ball.

But the Tigers missed two more three-pointers and Carter got loose for a dunk and a 100-94 lead on a pass from Ashley.

In other conference games:

Irvine Valley 90, Golden West 75--Matt Moore had 20 points and 13 rebounds for Irvine Valley (12-12, 3-4), which kept a comfortable lead throughout the game. Lydell Hill scored 28 points for Golden West (12-15, 2-5).

Orange Coast 88, Fullerton 57--Duane Curtis had 18 points, including four three-pointers, to lead Orange Coast (13-11, 4-3). Damon Smith had 20 points for Fullerton, which remains winless in league (7-16, 0-7).

Rancho Santiago 87, Cypress 78--Ramon Alliman scored 21 points for host Rancho Santiago (16-8, 4-3), which shot 58% from the field and had six players score in double figures. Paul Pappas scored 15 points for Cypress (10-14, 2-5).