COMMUNITY COLLEGE BASKETBALL ROUNDUP : Watson Paces Rancho Santiago

Marlon Watson scored a career-high 23 points, including a key three-pointer, to help Rancho Santiago to an 83-74 victory over Golden West in an Orange Empire Conference men’s basketball game Friday in Santa Ana.

Rancho Santiago led 39-34 at the half, but Golden West rallied and tie it, 56-56, midway through the second half. The tying basket came on a dunk by Rod Scheuerman off a pass by Dezmund Norwood.

Golden West had the ball two more times with a chance to take the lead but failed in each attempt.

Rancho Santiago then went on a 11-0 run that started when Nick Holt (23 points) made a short jumper with eight minutes 24 seconds left to play.

Jimmy Harris then made a three-pointer, was fouled and converted the foul shot for a four-point play with 7:42 left.

After a Golden West miss, Harris lined up to take a similar shot then passed to a wide-open Watson for a three-pointer in the left corner to put the Dons ahead, 65-56, with 7:24 left.

Watson, a sophomore forward better known for his rebounding and defensive skills, concluded the run with a lay-in with 6:43 left. He is averaging 12 points.

“At times when we needed some leadership, Marlon took over and did a nice job,” Rancho Santiago Coach Dana Pagett said. Watson’s career scoring high had been 17 last season.

Harris finished with 15, including four three-pointers, and Nathan Small had 10 for Rancho Santiago (16-6, 4-2), which is two games out of first place with one game left in the first round.

Rancho Santiago’s conference losses are to Saddleback and Riverside, the teams tied for first at 6-0.

“We’re still in the race,” Pagett said. “We certainly have a shot but it’s an uphill battle.”

Scheuerman had 22 and Michael Dean added 19 for Golden West (7-15, 1-5).

In other men’s games:

Saddleback 70, Fullerton 67--Eric Ambrozich scored 20 points and Micah Kroeger added 14 for visiting Saddleback (19-3, 6-0), which has won 13 in a row. Saddleback and Riverside, the only undefeated teams in conference, meet Wednesday at Riverside in the final game of the first round.

Jason Cunningham had 26 for Fullerton (10-13, 1-5), which has lost three conference games by a total of seven points.

Riverside 97, Orange Coast 75--Ronald Kenan and Paul Culbertson each scored 23 for visiting Riverside (22-2, 6-0), which has won 16 in a row. Damion Morbley had 21 for Orange Coast (10-12, 2-4).

Irvine Valley 78, Cypress 74--Keon Clark, who at 6 feet 11 is five inches taller than any Cypress player, had 27 points and 14 rebounds for host Irvine Valley (15-9, 3-3). Josh Porter had 16 for Irvine Valley.

Gil Gonzales had 18 and Matt Kenney 16 for Cypress (14-11, 1-5).

In Orange Empire Conference women’s games:

Golden West 89, Rancho Santiago 43--Reserve Farrah Magee scored 22 points for host Golden West (21-5, 6-0), which completed the first round undefeated. The Rustlers’ April Van Sweden came off the bench to score 14 points and get 12 rebounds.

Saddleback 52, Fullerton 49--The victory moved host Saddleback (12-7, 3-2) into a three-way tie for second place with Cypress and Riverside, 2 1/2 games behind Golden West.

Maureen Skehan and Maggie Gorska had 17 each for Saddleback and Norah Mariner had 13 for Fullerton (11-13, 1-4).

Riverside 75, Orange Coast 68--Jamie Shine had 15 and America Robledo added 13 for visiting Orange Coast (16-9, 2-3). Alicia Rubio had 24 for Riverside (7-11, 3-2).