Gauchos stun Delta for tourney finals

The Saddleback women's basketball program pulled off its biggest upset in years, knocking off San Joaquin Delta College in overtime, 72-69, in the semifinals of the Gaucho Classic.  The Gauchos will play East Los Angeles College in the finals on Saturday at 2:00 PM.

Delta entered the game ranked No. 5 in Northern California in the pre-season rankings.  The Mustangs were riding high after a 20-point win over Santa Barbara on Thursday night.  What they didn't see coming was a Saddleback team that could matchup inside with their size, and an outside game that kept making big shots all night long. 

Kiazha Ginwright provided the biggest blow of all, a deep three-pointer from the corner with five seconds remaining in overtime to give Saddleback a 70-69 lead.  Following a missed shot at the other end, Ginwright (pictured) then buried two free throws with one second remaining as the Gauchos walked away with a stunning 72-69 defeat of a deep and talented Delta squad. 

Saddleback had a big night all around.  Sophomore Janae Omusi was unstoppable at times inside, scoring 23 points on 9-of-18 shooting from the field.  Laura Tapia was lethal as well, making 5-of-11 from downtown in scoring a game-high 24 points.  Saddleback even shot 70% from the free throw line after entering the game shooting just 47% for the year.

Saddleback led most of the half, but wore down in the final minutes as Delta took a 31-30 lead at the half.   The Gauchos regrouped in the locker room after starting point guard Kara Ito, Ginwright and forward Irma Ealy all collected three fouls before the intermission. 

Saddleback managed to hang with Delta despite the fouls continuing to add up.  Ealy finally fouled out with 4:25 remaining in regulation, putting the Gauchos down a starter with the game tied at 55-55.  Under two minutes later, Ito picked up her fifth foul with the game tied at 58-58 with just under three minutes remaining.

Down one with 2:39 remaining, Saddleback then took down the ball down the court and fed Tapia.  The sophomore buried a three from way beyond the arc as Saddleback grabbed back a 61-59 lead.  Delta proceeded to tie the game when Raynell Lynn drained two free throws with time winding down.

Saddleback would get a chance at the final shot of the half, but Tapia came up empty as the game went to overtime. 

Both teams traded the lead in overtime when Ginwright did her thing.  She caught the ball on the left wing with about eight seconds remaining and never hesitated, catching nothing but net with her heels just inside the sidelines.  The crowd erupted as the shot went down.

Saddleback will face East Los Angeles in the finals on Saturday.  The Huskies defeated Irvine Valley College, 69-59, in the other semifinal of the game.  Game time is scheduled for 2:00 PM.