Gauchos open OEC play with a win

The Saddleback women's basketball team opened the Orange Empire Conference schedule with a 66-57 win over Orange Coast College on Wednesday in Costa Mesa.   Three Gauchos finished in double-figures.

Saddleback has been on a roll over the past month and won its eighth game in the past 10 tries on Wednesday.  Kiazha Ginwright scored a game-high 24 points to lead the charge.  Ginwright was not alone, as Janae Omusi had 18 points and 13 rebounds while Irma Ealy chipped in with 16 points of her own.

Saddleback and Orange Coast were even throughout as the lead changed hands 11 times during the course of the night.  The Gauchos finally wrestled control of the game in the fourth quarter when Ealy made a lay-up for a 55-54 lead with 3:06 remaining.  It was the beginning of a 13-3 run to finish the game as Orange Coast missed eight of its last nine shots from the field.

Following the Ealy basket, Laura Tapia followed with a three-pointer and Ginwright made a layup and the lead grew to 60-54 with just 1:20 remaining.  Saddleback would then make six straight free throws to close out the Pirates.

Saddleback is now 14-5 overall and 1-0 in OEC play with the win while OCC drops to 12-7, 0-1.  The Gauchos will have their conference home-opener on Friday when the host Irvine Valley College.  Tip time is scheduled for 5:00 PM.