Gaucho women grind out win

The Saddleback women's basketball team snapped a four-game losing streak with a 53-43 win over Fullerton College on Wednesday night at the Saddleback Gymnasium.  The Gaucho defense was the key, holding the Hornets to 28% shooting.

Both teams struggled from the field in the opening half, with Saddleback taking a 19-15 lead into the locker room.  Irma Ealy was the lone player with a hot hand, making 4-of-7 from the field in scoring eight first-half points.  The two programs were particularly cold from long range, combining to go 1-of-15 from beyond the arc.

Saddleback extended the lead to as many as nine points in the third quarter, but Fullerton closed the gap to 32-27 with 10 minutes remaining. 

The Gaucho fans erupted when Kara Ito drained a tree-pointer with 6:05 remaining in the game to give Saddleback a seven point lead.  It ended a 0-for-12 slump from long range and seemed to breathe some life in the Saddleback offense.  Ealy extended the lead back to eight with 1:21 remaining with a put-back off a rebound.  Teoncea Bennett then made 1-of-2 free throws with 1:10 remaining for a 48-39 lead, all but clinching the game with Fullerton still struggling from the field.  Ito sealed the deal with 56 seconds remaining with a fast break layup, giving the Gauchos their first double-digit lead of the game.

Bennett and Ealy would finish with a team-high 14 points apiece, with Ealy picking up 13 rebounds.

Saddleback improved to 10-19 overall and 3-8 in Orange Empire Conference play with one game remaining in the regular season.  The Gauchos will host Orange Coast on Friday night at 5:00 PM.