Cats take OEC opener

The Saddleback women's basketball team won its opening game in Orange Empire Conference play with a 78-61 victory over Fullerton College on Wednesday night in Fullerton.  The Bobcats had a big fourth quarter in moving to nine games above .500.

Saddleback and Fullerton were fairly close through three quarters with the Bobcats holding a 54-49 lead heading into the final 10 minutes of play.  The Bobcats then found a rhythm in the fourth quarter while clamping down on defense to secure the win.

Saddleback shot 59% from the field over the final frame, making 10-of-17 shots from the field.  The Bobcats employed a balanced attack, with Kassidy Beach leading the charge by scoring six points over the final 10 minutes on way to a team-high 22 points for the night.

Saddleback outscored Fullerton 9-1 over the first 2:44 of the quarter to open up a 63-50 lead after Mariana Mina buried a three-pointer with 7:16 on the clock.  Nina Saiki would then make a shot from beyond the arc before Makayla Rutledge completed a three-point play with 4:36 remaining as the lead expanded to 71-54.  The Bobcats would increase the lead to 21 with under 2.5 minutes remaining before cruising across the finish line with the win.

Saddleback finished with three players in double figures in Beach (22), Saiki (16) and Rutledge (16).  The Bobcat defense was tough all night, forcing 20 turnovers while holding Fullerton to 19% shooting from beyond the arc. 

Saddleback is now 13-4 overall and 1-0 in Orange Empire Conference play following the win.  It is the best record since starting 13-4 during the 2016-17 season.

Saddleback will look for a fifth straight win on Friday when it hosts inter-district rival Irvine Valley College (15-2, 1-0).  The #22 Bobcats and #10 Lasers are scheduled to tip off at 7:00 PM inside the Saddleback gymnasium.