COMMUNITY COLLEGE ROUNDUP : Saddleback Catches Up, Edges Cypress

Josh Borella made three free throws in the final 21 seconds to help Saddleback College beat Cypress, 67-65, in an Orange Empire Conference basketball game Saturday at Cypress.

Borella and Ray Ankton helped the Gauchos’ second-half comeback, in which they rallied from a 34-26 halftime deficit.

Ankton, who finished with 22 points, had 18 in the second half, including a three-pointer with 2 minutes 10 seconds left to tie the score at 60.

Saddleback’s first lead of the game came after Borella, a freshman guard, drove the lane and was fouled with 21 seconds left. He made both free throws and Saddleback led, 66-65.

Cypress then worked the ball upcourt. Sophomore David Boyle got open for a three-point try with nine seconds left but missed. Saddleback’s Jeff Springfield got the long rebound and passed to Borella (18 points), who was fouled with five seconds left.

He made the first to put Saddleback up, 67-65, but missed the second and Cypress’ Tom Barraza got the rebound. He got just past half court but was unable to get a shot off as time ran out.

Anthony Livingston had 16 points and Boyle 15 for Cypress. The Chargers had a chance to build on their 65-64 lead with 30 seconds left, but sophomore Sam Sabbara missed two free throws.

The victory moves Saddleback (15-12, 6-5 in conference) into second place, a half-game ahead of Cypress (18-10, 5-5), Golden West (14-16, 5-5), and Riverside (19-12, 5-5).

The top three teams receive automatic berths into the Southern California Regional playoffs. At least three other teams from the conference are expected to receiver at-large bids as well into the 32-team field, which will be announced Feb. 24.

In another conference game:

Golden West 93, Riverside 75--Visiting Golden West (14-16, 5-5) won after losing to Riverside, 122-80, last month.

Scott Campbell scored 23 for Golden West. Greg Evans added 19, Paig Parish 17 and Mark Johnson 16. Bret Lundeen had 16 rebounds and Johnson 15.

Golden West was up, 59-53, early in the second half then went on a 10-0 run and led by at least 10 the rest of the way.

Riverside (19-12, 5-5) played without starting center Daniel Lyton, who suffered a knee injury Thursday against Saddleback.