Community college men’s basketball: Pirates positive in loss

Steve Virgen

COSTA MESA - No disrespect to Orange Empire Conference favorite

Saddleback College, but Orange Coast College men’s basketball coach Steve

Spencer could care less who his Pirates play on any night.

Spencer’s attitude reflected onto his players and the Pirates

completed a 16-2 run in the second half, but lost, 76-64.

“I thought we should have won the game,” Spencer said. “(The Pirates)

played really hard. We have to understand that we can beat anybody. We

have to start believing that we can win when get on that court.”

OCC freshman point guard Stephon Seales led the Pirates (4-13, 1-2 in

the OEC) with 17 points, while sophomore center Mark Meyers added 14

points.

“(The Pirates) played really hard,” Saddleback Coach Bill Brummel

said. “Their coach did a good job. We were very fortunate to come out of

here with a win.”

The Pirates fell behind, 50-37, with 12:16 left, but outscored the

Gauchos (17-3, 3-0), 16-2 over the following six minutes. Seales scored

six points in the spurt, while sophomore guard Ryan Webster capped the

run with a three-pointer to cut the deficit to 56-53.

But Saddleback retaliated with defense, causing two quick turnovers

and making 15 of 20 free throws after the Pirates’ scoring run.

“We don’t have that much talent,” Seales said. “But we play with a lot

of heart and passion.”

The Pirates return to action Friday at 5:30 p.m., facing host Cypress.