Santa Ana Women Move Closer to Top With Win

Santa Ana needs more help to get to the top of the Orange Empire Conference women’s basketball standings, but the Dons got close Wednesday with a 75-53 victory over first-place Irvine Valley.

The victory, the second over Irvine Valley (19-5, 7-2) this season, puts the Dons (17-5, 6-3) a game back of Irvine Valley and Fullerton with five left. Irvine Valley plays at Fullerton on Friday. Santa Ana is tied for second with Orange Coast and Cypress.

“This proves we’re a lot better team that people give us credit for,” Santa Ana Coach Jack Single said.

Santa Ana dominated from the start thanks to sophomore Shanna Renken, who scored nine of Santa Ana’s first 13 points. Renken finished with a game-high 17.

Santa Ana led at the break, 43-29, and ended any rally hopes for Irvine Valley with a 13-0 run over 6 minutes 19 seconds. The streak ended on a layup by guard Kim Korsmeier (10 points) that put Santa Ana ahead, 65-40, with 9:16 left.

Rochelle Anthony, a wing player, and center Nekeda Allen each added 13 and forward Fiaave Tipoti had 11 points and 12 rebounds. Santa Ana made 13 of 13 free throws in the first half and 24 of 34 in the game.

Forward Jaime Broneer had 14 points for Irvine Valley, but forward Heather Cunningham, who is averaging a team-high 17, was limited to eight points. The loss ended Irvine Valley’s six-game winning streak.