Gauchos settle for fourth in Gaucho Classic

The Saddleback women's basketball team finished in fourth place at the annual Gaucho Classic on Saturday, falling in the third place game to San Joaquin Delta College 79-41.    The Gauchos came out of the gate slowly and never recovered against a perennial power from Northern California.

Saddleback knew it had its work out for them after losing point guard Teoncea Bennett to injury in the opening game of the tournament on Thursday night.  After falling on Friday night in the semifinals to Scottsdale College, the Gauchos faced a Delta program that rotates in 10 players, many of which played in the state tournament a year ago. 

Saddleback was cold from the field in the opening 20 minutes, making just 4-of-16 shots from the field while falling behind 40-23 at the intermission.  The Gauchos kept themselves within an arms distance by getting to the free throw line 26 times in the opening half. 

Saddleback closed the gap to 12 points in the third quarter as Delta started to get into foul trouble, but the Mustangs eventually wore down the Gauchos with pressing defense, forcing a number of turnovers and increasing the lead to 56-35 through three quarters.

Hannah Saliba, Irma Ealy and Angela Steel all finished wth a game-high seven points for the Gauchos.

Saddleback now stands at 2-4 on the season.  The Gauchos will get a week off before playing on Friday, December 4, in the Chaffey College Panther Pride Classic.   Saddleback will open the tournament against Barstow College.