Saddleback Overcomes Technical Difficulties to Upset Fullerton

Saddleback maneuvered around three technical fouls and an intentional foul to upset first-place Fullerton, 75-66, in an Orange Empire Conference men’s basketball game Friday at Saddleback.

Michael Riggins, a sophomore guard, drove Saddleback, especially in the second half, when he scored 15 of his game-high 17. Saddleback had been down by nine early in the second half.

Despite the loss, Fullerton (17-11, 10-2) remained in a first-place tie with Irvine Valley, which was upset by Riverside on Friday. Fullerton is at Irvine Valley on Wednesday in the second to the last conference game.

The victory keeps Saddleback (16-11, 7-5) tied with Riverside for third place. “We hope we can get the last [two] games and make a run in the playoffs,” Saddleback Coach Bill Brummel said.

A primary reason Saddleback has won for of its past five games is because Brummel moved Riggins from point guard to shooting guard. Brian Scoggin, who had 13 points, has taken over at the point.

Riggins was a shooting guard at Santa Ana Valley High but moved to point at Saddleback to help fill a void. His three-pointer with 11 minutes 13 seconds left tied it, 51-51. He also scored with 4:02 left to put Saddleback ahead for good, 64-62.

“We’ve just been close in so many games,” Riggins said. “It’s just a matter of us putting it together.”

While Saddleback was playing solidly in the closing minutes, Fullerton was falling apart.

The Hornets were hurt when forwards Jeff Luszeck and Sterling Rachal fouled out. Rachal was in foul trouble early and had only six points after getting 26 in an 88-81 victory over Riverside on Wednesday. He fouled out Friday with 7 minutes 33 seconds and Luszeck was done with with 4:43 left.

Their absence helped Saddleback out-rebounded Fullerton, 39-25.

The game was close much of the first half but Fullerton scored five points in the final 19 seconds to take a 38-32 lead with the help of an intentional foul called on Saddleback forward Leif Kemp (16 points) and a technical foul called on Saddleback assistant Steve Popovich.

Saddleback’s Dinari Bates and Fullerton’s Brian Montonati were called for a double-technical midway in the first half for talking after the referee told all the players not to say another word after a battle for a rebound.

Brummel also got a technical foul with 7:55 left for protesting a kicked-ball call.

“I still love coaching,” Brummel said.