No. 1 Saddleback Prevails Over Host Riverside, 72-58, Wednesday Night

RIVERSIDE -- The Saddleback College Gauchos, ranked No. 1 in the state, won their 16th consecutive game with a 72-58 Orange Empire Conference (OEC) decision over the host Riverside City College Tigers men's basketball team Wednesday night (Feb. 3) at historic Arthur N. Wheelock Gymnasium.

Saddleback (22-1 overall, 7-0 OEC) led from the first field goal and was never headed. The Gauchos led, 41-23, at halftime and led, 43-23, at the 19:23 mark of the second half before the host Tigers began to whittle away at the deficit.

Riverside (11-13 overall, 3-5 OEC) closed to within 58-53 with 6:36 to play before the Gauchos went on a 10-0 run for a 68-53 lead with 3:12 left.

RCC sophomore guard Kevin Pritchett (Los Angeles / Fremont HS) tossed in a game-high 19 points on seven of ten shooting.

Saddleback freshman forward Breaon Brady (Akron, OH / Ellet HS) led the Gauchos with 18 points and added 11 rebounds, while freshman point guard T.J. Shorts (Tustin / Tustin HS) chipped in with 17 points. Sophomore forward Lyle Hexon (Omaha, NE / South HS) also contributed 17 points and had a team-high 11 rebounds and game-high five blocked shots.

Both teams continue OEC action on Friday, Feb. 5, at 7 p.m. when RCC visits Fullerton and Saddleback visits Cypress.

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