Santa Ana Doesn’t Lose Ground Despite Loss

The Santa Ana men’s basketball team left Saddleback’s gym Friday believing it had just given away a chance to win the Orange Empire Conference title, thanks to a 63-61 loss.

But first-place Riverside was upset Friday at Irvine Valley, 56-52.

Santa Ana (21-6, 7-3) goes into Wednesday’s showdown with Riverside (8-2 in conference) a game down with four left. Santa Ana beat Riverside in the first round.

Santa Ana had a chance to win the game in the final second but Brian Chambers’ three-pointer was short. But the Dons had much easier chances down the stretch.

The Dons missed five of six free throws and had two turnovers in the final one minute 49 seconds.

Jerry Inzunza had 14 points and Semaj Johnson and Rahshaw McAfee had 12 each for Saddleback (18-9, 6-4).