Men’s basketball: Pirates edged by Gauchos

MISSION VIEJO - The Orange Coast College men’s basketball nearly

pulled off the upset Wednesday night against host Saddleback, but the

Gauchos escaped with a 65-63 Orange Empire Conference win.

Chad Hagedorn led the Pirates (13-15, 2-11 in conference) with 22 points

and six rebounds, while David Castleton added 14 points and six rebounds.

OCC, which lost to the Gauchos by 19 at home on Jan. 21, trailed by six

at the half, but could not find the equalizer down the stretch.

Semaj Johnson had 16 points for Saddleback (21-9, 9-4), while Garreth

Read and Jarry Inzunza each had 15. Read also grabbed 15 rebounds.

Dave Elliott was the rebounding leader for OCC with 12 to go along with

his 11 points.

The Pirates wrap up their OEC schedule with Riverside Friday at 7:30 p.m.

ORANGE EMPIRE CONFERENCE

Saddleback , Orange Coast

Orange Coast - Hagedorn 22, Castleton 14, Elliott 11, Nguyen 8, Earl 5,

Beeler 3.

3 pt. goals - Nguyen 2, Earl 1.

Fouled out - Beeler.

Saddleback - Johnson 16, Read 15, Inzunza 15, McAfee 9, Hayes 4, Bacchus

4, Hayes 4, Jackson 2.

3 pt. goals - Johnson 2, Hayes 1, Inzunza 1.

Fouled out - Jackson, McAfee.

Halftime - Saddleback, 31-25.