Pirates upset Gauchos, 56-47
COSTA MESA -- A strong defensive push to start the second half proved to be the difference as the Orange Coast College women's basketball team pulled off a 56-47 upset over visiting Saddleback College on Friday night inside the Peterson Gym.
Leading by three points after the first minute of the second half (32-29), Orange Coast (11-16, 3-7 in Orange Empire Conference) managed to put the clamps down on the Gauchos (18-8, 5-6) and hold them off of the scoreboard for a five-minute stretch, outscoring them 9-0 along the way for a 42-29 advantage.
Saddleback would get to within six on two different occasions, but the Pirates found enough offense and defense the rest of the way to avoid any major Gaucho scoring runs.
Sophomore guard Ashley Engeln had a solid all-around game. She led the OCC offense with 14 points and added six rebounds, three assists and three steals to her box score for the night. Megan Hanson added 10 points (6-of-7 from the free-throw line) and Jenna Arnett and Tessie Pikula each contributed eight points.
The OCC defense held the Gauchos to just 30.8 percent shooting from the floor (16-of-52) and forced 22 turnovers, including 13 steals.
Saddleback was led by DonQuenae Townsend with 13 points and 10 rebounds, while teammate Shalae Edwards added 12 points and seven boards.
The Pirates will hit the road and face Riverside on Wednesday (6:30 p.m.) before closing out the season at the Peterson Gym on Friday night against Cypress (5:30 p.m.).
