Bournes provides identity on day one

Bournes provides identity on day one

The Saddleback Gauchos opened the 2014-15-season with a 71-63 win over Glendale College of Arizona on Thursday at the College of the Desert Tournament in Palm Desert.  Andrew Bournes scored 24 points as the Gauchos advanced to the semifinals.

Saddleback opened the season against Glendale (AZ), one of two other colleges in the country with the nickname the Gauchos (UC Santa Barbara).   California's version appeared to be up to the challenge, ousting the Arizona version into the loser's bracket.

Bournes led a two-pronged attack from the outside while Conor Clifford was a dominating force down deep.  Clifford finished with 22 points and 11 rebounds in his first game since transferring into the program from UC Irvine.

"It was an encouraging way to start the season, given we knew absolutely nothing about the opponent," head coach Andy Ground said.  "We saw plenty to be happy with, but also saw a lot of things we need to work on."

It was the second time Saddleback had ever faced Glendale in basketball and now stands at 2-0 lifetime against the Gauchos.

Saddleback will play again on Friday in the championship semifinals against San Bernardino Valley College at 5:00 PM.  The Wolverines defeated San Diego Mesa College 66-64 in the opening game of the tournament.