Orange Coast’s Final Shot Doesn’t Fall

Sarah Middlebrooke missed a shot at the buzzer as Orange Coast lost to host San Diego Mesa, 78-77, in a nonconference women’s basketball game Friday.

Paula Carter made two free throws with seven seconds left in the fourth quarter to lift San Diego Mesa (8-2), which handed the Pirates their first loss.

Natalie Weeks scored 19 points and had 12 rebounds and Leah Wilde added 15 points to lead Orange Coast (10-1).

Middlebrooke and Adria Sortino each had 11 points for Orange Coast.

In the Allan Hancock women’s basketball tournament:

Golden West 71, Pierce 64--Tracy Downs had 23 points and Kelly Medlen had 22 to lead the Rustlers. Pierce rallied from a 17-8 first-half deficit to take a nine-point halftime lead in the consolation game. Evalani Tagaloa keyed an 8-0 Rustler run as Golden West (3-7) took a 58-53 lead with 7:17 left. Pierce (4-4) never led thereafter.

Saddleback 67, Cira Costa 41--Betsy Holman scored 20 points and had 12 rebounds to lead Saddleback (4-6) to a consolation victory. She was four of six from the three-point line. Saddleback took a 38-24 halftime lead.

In the Riverside Holiday men’s basketball tournament:

Santa Ana 68, Pomona Pitzer JV 47--Sophomore Chris Mattice’s 23 points helped host Santa Ana overwhelm the Pomona Pitzer junior varsity. Freshman Carlos Romero had 13 points and seven steals to lead the Dons.

In nonconference men’s basketball:

Long Beach City 89, Fullerton 72--Schea Cotton led top-ranked Long Beach in scoring with 29 points. Five Hornets scored in double figures, led by Rashaun Thomas’ 16.

Orange Coast 81, Cuyamaca 76--Dave Elliott had 23 points and eight rebounds to lead Orange Coast (7-4) at home. Carlos Reyes and Roman Dolven each had 10 rebounds for the Pirates. Marlin Whatley led all scorers with 25 points and four three-pointers for Cuyamaca (1-7).