Saddleback’s Streak Ends at Hands of L.A. Southwest

The streak seems of such minor importance now. The coach’s celebrated 400th victory, achieved only two days ago, seems years in the past.

The top-seeded Saddleback College men’s basketball team, riding the momentum of a 28-game winning streak, was derailed Friday night in a 70-66 loss to Los Angeles Southwest in the semifinals of the community college state championships at University of the Pacific.

The loss left the Gauchos (33-4) one victory shy of the school record, one victory shy of the school’s first appearance in the state final since 1983, and one victory shy of the opportunity to punctuate an otherwise brilliant season with an exclamation point.

“It’s very disappointing,” said Saddleback Coach Bill Brummel, who Thursday night notched career coaching victory No. 400. “But that’s what’s so great about sports. There are great highs and great lows.”

Southwest (29-7) will play San Jose for the state title tonight at 8. San Jose defeated Moorpark, 66-62, in overtime in the other semi-final.

Saddleback had opportunities down the stretch, but a Southwest defense that gave fits to the Gauchos all night ultimately prevailed. Saddleback, which trailed most of the game, took a 56-53 lead when Mike Donegan tipped in an alley-oop lob with 5:17 to play.

But the swarming Southwest defense, which effectively cut down passing lanes and made it difficult for Saddleback to reverse the ball and get to the baseline, held Saddleback scoreless for the next 3 minutes 16 seconds, and the Cougars opened a 62-58 lead.

The Cougars made six of six free throws in the final 32 seconds and sealed the victory with an alley-oop dunk by Devon Rice.

A half-court three-pointer by Rahshaw McAfee at the buzzer proved irrelevant.

“Their defense was tenacious and they hit the clutch free throws,” Brummel said. “They did everything right and we didn’t respond. I credit them. We lost to a good team.”

Saddleback shot only 40% from the field, including 30% in the first half. It went through three scoreless stretches in the first half of four minutes or more.

Brummel said the pressure of keeping the winning streak alive wasn’t a factor.

“It may have caused some problems during our league season, but up here we only wanted a three-game streak,” he said. “I feel bad for these kids because they put their hearts into the entire season.”

Donegan led Saddleback with 16 points and 10 rebounds. McAfee and Adrian Aguayo each added 14. Arizona State-bound guard Curtis Millage had 20 points for Southwest.