Top-Ranked Saddleback Survives Against Cypress

Mark Brown hit a 15-foot jumper with 4.8 seconds left to give visiting Saddleback a 68-66 victory over Cypress in an Orange Empire Conference men’s basketball game Wednesday.

Cypress’ Brandon Erquhart missed a three-pointer at the buzzer as the Gauchos (26-2, 11-0), ranked No. 1 in the state, held on for their 21st consecutive victory.

D. Jay Lucas led Cypress (12-15, 5-6) with 20 points and Brown had 19 for Saddleback.

In another Orange Empire Conference game:

Fullerton 93, Riverside 92--Visiting Fullerton, trailing by 10 at halftime, came back by shooting 77.3% (17 for 22) from the field in the second half.

The Hornets (19-7, 7-4) were led by J.J. Sola with 25 points, Kevin Turner with 21 and Charles Mann with 12 points and eight assists. Five players scored in double figures for Fullerton.

Riverside (16-13) had a chance to win in the final seconds, but the Tigers’ Derek Link had his shot blocked.

In Orange Empire Conference women’s basketball:

Santa Ana 68, Irvine Valley 67--Jennifer Green made two free throws with no time left to give visiting Santa Ana (21-6, 9-1) the win.

Green had 15 points and 16 rebounds. Amber Avestruz led Irvine Valley (19-9, 7-4) with 18 points and 11 rebounds.

In nonconference college softball:

Vanguard 5, Chapman 0--Alysia Atchley pitched a two-hit shutout with seven strikeouts for host Vanguard (1-1). Jill Jessen had two doubles and drove in a run and Cheri Smith had two hits and an RBI for the Lions.