COMMUNITY COLLEGE ROUNDUP : Substitute Fills In Nicely, Sparks Rancho Santiago

Rancho Santiago College’s Mike Hunter made four consecutive key plays late in the second half to help the Dons to an 83-75 victory over Saddleback Saturday in an Orange Empire Conference basketball game at Saddleback.

Rancho Santiago led, 55-34, with 15:45 to play, but Saddleback rallied to pull within 68-66 on a reverse layup by Matt Thompson.

Rancho Santiago moved ahead, 70-66, on two free throws by Matt Lein, then Hunter went to work. He had a steal and later made two free throws to put the Dons ahead, 72-66, with 2:59 left.

Saddleback then came downcourt but Hunter intercepted a pass again. He later got the ball on the baseline, made a short jumper and was fouled. He made the free throw and Rancho Santiago led, 75-66, with 2:03 left.

Hunter, who is normally first off the bench, started Saturday for Corie Blount, who has been ill the past week. Hunter finished with 14 points for Rancho Santiago (24-2, 7-1).

Gene Altamirano led the Dons with 21 points and Matt Lien and Alvin Loftis each had 17.

Charles Lockard scored 22 of his game-high 26 in the second half for Saddleback (8-17, 1-8), Thompson added 20 and Terrell Malone 10.

Rancho Santiago trails first-place Cypress, which maintained its lead Saturday with an 80-54 victory over Fullerton, by 1 1/2 games.