Santa Ana Sinks Irvine Valley With Strong First Half

Santa Ana played its best half in a month to open a 17-point lead and went on to beat host Irvine Valley, 74-58, in an Orange Empire Conference men’s basketball game Friday.

Santa Ana shot 47% (16 of 34) in the opening half and, more importantly, held Irvine Valley to 26.5% (nine of 34) with a strong defensive effort.

“In the first half we played very well,” Santa Ana Coach Ray Rodriguez said. “We played hard, we played unselfish and we played good defense and that led to some easy baskets.”

Mark Wulfemeyer scored 20 points, making nine of 10 free throws, for Santa Ana (20-5, 6-2 in conference). Wulfemeyer got four chances at the line as a result of two technical fouls called on Irvine Valley Coach Jerry Hernandez.

Santa Ana’s Zac Fry added 16 points and Greg Gray had 10. Each had an impressive dunk off a lob pass from guard Herbert Gracia.

Santa Ana led by as many as 25 early in the second half. But Irvine Valley got within eight when Craig Rice made a three-pointer to cut the Dons’ lead to 64-56 with 1:53 to play.

Wulfemeyer then made four free throws and a layup to help Santa Ana pull away.