COMMUNITY COLLEGE ROUNDUP : Rancho Santiago Pulls Away, Clinches at Least a Share of Title

Beau Hossler scored six points in the final two minutes to help Rancho Santiago clinch at least a tie for the Orange Empire Conference championship with an 85-76 victory over Golden West Wednesday at Rancho Santiago.

The Dons, two-time defending State champions, can win their second consecutive conference title outright with a victory at Orange Coast Saturday.

Golden West led Wednesday’s game, 49-46, at the half. Rancho Santiago (20-8, 8-2 in conference) recovered in the second half and opened a 77-69 lead with four minutes 26 seconds left after consecutive baskets by center Rick Swanwick.

Golden West then got five consecutive points and Rancho Santiago Coach Dana Pagett called timeout with 1:50 left.

Hossler, a sophomore point guard, got a baseline screen from Swanwick and scored on an uncontested layup to put the Dons ahead, 79-74, with 1:43 left. Hossler added two free throws with 27 seconds left and two more with 17 seconds left, and Ruben Oronoz had a dunk as time ran out for Rancho Santiago.

Oronoz had a game-high 19 points and Hossler had 18. Glen Greene added 13 and Swanwick had 12. Fred Amos started at center in place of Swanwick and had two points and a game-high nine rebounds.

Scott Campbell had 18 for Golden West, which shot 65% (17-26) in the first half. But Rancho Santiago’s defense improved in the second half and the Rustlers (13-14, 4-5) struggled.

Golden West made only one of its first 11 shots and finished the second half at 32% (10 of 31).

In another conference game:

Fullerton 87, Orange Coast 59--Host Fullerton (12-13, 4-6) led by as many as 42 points, 76-34, with seven minutes left in the game. Rod Summers was seven of seven from the field and had 15 points. Teammates Garry Hunter had 16 and Greg Bedford scored 15. Jeff Porter scored 24 for OCC (10-16, 2-7).