Saddleback Stays Tough, Beats Fullerton, 70-61

The Saddleback men’s basketball team continued its dominance of Orange Empire Conference opponents, defeating visiting Fullerton, 70-61, Friday.

The first-place Gauchos (23-2, 8-0) were led by Mark Brown’s 19 points and six assists. Adrian Aguayo scored 15 points and Alan Batiste had 10. Saddleback hit seven of 13 three-point attempts and was 15 for 19 from the free-throw line.

Romel Beck scored 21 points, Charles Mann had 13 and Jon Tinnon had 10 for the Hornets (16-8, 4-4).

In other conference games:

Cypress 80, Santa Ana 74--Cypress outscored Santa Ana, 50-37, in the second half for the victory. Abe Lorenzana scored 33 points to lead the Chargers. Zac Fray had 27 points for Santa Ana (12-12, 3-5).

In OEC women’s basketball:

Irvine Valley 48, Orange Coast 46--Visiting Irvine Valley (17-7, 6-2) won despite shooting 30% from the field and almost let a 30-18 halftime lead slip away. Fala Suiaunoa made four three-pointers and had 16 points for the Lasers.

Kristen Urban made four three-pointers and had 18 points for Orange Coast (13-12, 3-5).

Saddleback 60, Fullerton 53--Colleen O’Leary had 16 points and nine rebounds, Kalena Jackson had 15 points and Hayley Hall had 13 points and seven rebounds for host Saddleback (7-16, 3-5).

Reena Gonzales had 18 points and 11 rebounds for Fullerton (9-15, 2-6).

Santa Ana 76, Cypress 57--Acheve Barre had 22 points and 11 rebounds, Terrial Cole had 17 points and five steals and Jennifer Green had 16 points and eight rebounds for host Santa Ana (18-6, 7-1).

Randie Washington had 21 points for Cypress (9-15, 3-5).