Omusi scores 35 in OT win

The Saddleback women's basketball team ran its winning streak to six straight with a 75-73 win over Fullerton College in overtime on Wednesday night in Fullerton.  Janae Omusi scored 35 as the Gauchos struggled with foul trouble.

Saddleback trailed for most of the first half, struggling from the field while picking up a bevy of fouls.  The Gauchos were just 3-of-12 from long range but managed to take the lead in the final second of the half when Laura Tapia was fouled from three-point range, making all three free throws as Saddleback had a 28-27 lead at the intermission.

Saddleback came out quick in the second half, scoring four straight points for a 32-27 lead.  Fullerton answered back with five of their own and the game was again tied at 32-32.  The Hornets would eventually regain the lead at 35-34 before the Gauchos made a run.  After baskets by Omusi and Kara Ito, Tapia buried back-to-back three-pointers and the Saddleback lead was 44-37 with three minutes remaining in the quarter.  On the next possession, Omusi made a jumper and the lead was nine.

Saddleback ended the quarter with a 48-41 lead, but fouls were starting to mount.  The Gauchos ended the quarter with Ito, Kiazha Ginwright and Irma Ealy all in foul trouble.  Fullerton took advantage while Saddleback went ice cold.  The Gauchos failed to score over the first 2:34 and the Hornets cut the lead to 48-45.  Ginwright broke the silence with 7:26 remaining for her first basket of the night after starting 0-for-9 from the field. 

Omusi kept Saddleback in front with a pair of layups as the Gauchos led 54-49 with 6:15 remaining.  Ginwright then made a tip-in basket with 4:51 left and the lead was 56-51.  However, Ito picked up her fourth foul on the following possession, leaving herself, Ealy and Ginwright with four fouls apiece. 

The Gauchos took a six point lead when Tapia connected from long range for a 59-53 lead, but it would be the last time Saddleback would score for nearly three minutes as the Gauchos went cold.  During the streak, Ealy picked up her fifth foul with 2:29 remaining and Saddleback clinging to a 59-57 lead.  Two possessions later, Fullerton tied the score on a tip-in by Tianna Buford with 1:56 remaining.

Ito went to the free throw line on the following possession, but only made 1-of-2 as Saddleback had a 60-59 lead.  Fullerton answered again with Buford, whose lay-in put the Hornets ahead.  Omusi went to work, making baskets on back-to-back possessions as the Gauchos regained the lead at 63-62 with 40 seconds remaining. 

Fullerton came down and missed a jumper with 25 seconds remaining and Omusi was there to grab the rebound.  Fullerton quickly fouled her with 17 seconds remaining, sending her to the free throw line.  Unfortunately, Saddleback still hadn't figured out the free throw riddle as she proceeded to miss both free throws, giving the Hornets another chance.  Fullerton returned the favor with 10 seconds remaining and a quick foul on Tapia.  She proceeded to make only 1-of-2, giving the Hornets yet a third opportunity.

Fullerton came down with one more opportunity to win the game.  They were bailed out when Ginwright was whistled for her fifth foul and only one second remaining on the clock.  Buford went to the free throw line and made both, sending the game to overtime.

With two starters on the bench and another with four fouls, Omusi took over.  The sophomore scored the first six points of the overtime for Saddleback as the Gauchos grabbed a 70-66 lead with two minutes remaining.  Meanwhile, Fullerton couldn't buy a basket.  The Hornets missed five straight shots and a pair of free throws as the Saddleback lead grew to seven with 28 seconds remaining.  In total, Omusi would score nine points in the overtime as the Gauchos held on for a 75-73 win.

Omusi finished 15-of-29 from the field, scoring 35 points and collecting 12 rebounds.  Tapia finished with 19, making 4-of-10 from long range after a slow start.  The Gauchos made just 18-of-39 free throws, making only 8-of-24 in the second half.

Saddleback is now 19-5 overall and 6-0 in Orange Empire Conference play after the win.  The Gauchos have a one-game lead in the standings heading into the second half of the conference schedule.  Saddleback will play again on Friday when they host Orange Coast College.  Tip time is scheduled for 7:00 PM.