Reyes Comes Back to Help OCC Win

Orange Coast’s Adrian Reyes missed much of the first half after taking a elbow to his shoulder as he moved across the key during the Pirates’ Orange Empire Conference game Friday against visiting Irvine Valley.

But he returned to the lineup in the second half and scored 11 consecutive points late to help the Pirates win, 81-75.

Reyes made two free throws to get OCC within 60-59, then made three consecutive three-pointers to put OCC ahead, 68-62, with 5 minutes 59 seconds left.

“He’s probably the best shooter on the team,” OCC Coach Tim O’Brien said. “Sometimes he just doesn’t get his shots in games.”

Irvine Valley then went on a 7-0 run to briefly take the lead, but OCC went ahead for good when Darnell Adamson slipped along the baseline for a dunk and a 72-71 lead with 3:01 left.

Matt Ambrose (21 points) then scored consecutive baskets and teammates Draper Mitchell and Duane Curtis each made two free throws in the final 14 seconds.

The victory kept OCC (16-13, 7-5) in a third-place tie with Rancho Santiago, which plays at OCC Wednesday.