Bobcats scratch out big road win

The Saddleback men's basketball team kept within a paw's distance of the top of the standings with a 79-68 win at Santiago Canyon College on Monday in Orange.  Nick Bowden and Atiba Taylor remained hot while the defense clamped down on the high-flying SCC offense. 

Saddleback was looking for revenge after falling to Santiago Canyon in double-overtime just 10 days earlier.  The Bobcats made good the second time around, jumping out to a big lead and making it stick.

Saddleback had a 44-32 lead at the intermission thanks in large part to Nick Bowden.  The freshman from Playa Del Rey High School was fresh off setting the single-game three-point record on Friday and his hot hand continued through the weekend when he scored 17 points in the opening half on Monday.  Bowden was 5-of-9 from long range in the opening half while the defense held the Santiago Canyon offense in check.  The Hawks were sixth in the state coming into the game, averaging just an eyelash under 90 points-per-game.  Santiago Canyon wasn't able to get out and run as a result of Saddleback making shots, thus forcing them out of their comfort zone and into a half-court offense.

Saddleback's defense remained tough throughout the second half, holding Santiago Canyon to 38% shooting over the final 20 minutes.  The Bobcats also held a 19-12 advantage in rebounds in the second half as the lead was never threatened.  Saddleback had its largest lead of the game at 68-53 after Elijah Al-Debaran nailed a three-pointer with 6:46 remaining in the game.  When Santiago Canyon did put the Bobcats at the free throw line, Saddleback responded by making 9-of-9 in the second half and 12-for-13 in the game.

Bowden finished with a game-high of 24 points on 8-of-14 shooting from the field.  Atiba Taylor scored 11 points in the second half in finishing with 20 for the game.

Saddleback is now 14-8 overall and 6-4 in Orange Empire Conference play after the win.  The Bobcats have won three straight games and four of their last five in climbing into a tie for fourth place with Irvine Valley College. 

Saddleback will try and continue the streak with an important battle at Riverside City College on Wednesday.  The Bobcats and Tigers are set to tip off at 5:00 PM in Riverside.