Gauchos exterminate Hornets for 16th straight win

The Saddleback men's basketball team extended its winning streak to 16 games on Friday with a dominating 83-54 win at Fullerton College.  The Gauchos made quick work of the Hornets, opening up a 15-point lead at the half and never looking back.

Saddleback's winning streak received a scare earlier in the week from Irvine Valley College and they weren't about to let it happen twice.  Conor Clifford had 13 first-half points and Saddleback had an 18-7 advantage on the glass in taking a 42-27 lead into the locker room. The Gauchos scored the first five points of the game and slowly built the lead throughout the half, with Clifford adding an exclamation point at the buzzer.

The second half started the same way, as Saddleback scored the first eight points as the lead swelled to 23 while Fullerton failed to score in the first three minutes. The lead would eventually hit 35 when Caleb Baskett nailed a three-pointer with 4:23 remaining, giving the Gauchos a 79-44 lead with mostly bench players on the floor.

Clifford would finish with 20 points and six rebounds as four Saddleback players finished in double-figures.  Collin Host and Andrew Bournes both had 10 points while Maurice Jones came off the bench to score 11. 

The 16-straight wins is the longest winning streak since Saddleback won 17 straight during the 2012-13 campaign.  The Gauchos will look to equal that mark on Wednesday when it hosts Riverside City College at the Saddleback Gymnasium.  Game time is scheduled for 7:00 PM and will be broadcast live on the Gaucho Sports Network.