Saddleback charges the Chargers
Saddleback College took on the Cypress College Chargers at Don Johnson Court in Cypress last Wednesday.
Men’s basketball ended the two-game losing streak as they took advantage of the slow start from the Chargers to win by 18 points. The end score was 71-53.
It was evident from the first tip that it was the Gaucho’s night when they went on a 28-3 run to start the game. The Gauchos out rebounded the Chargers by 13 points, which led to efficient scoring all night.
“How number 35 [forward Wendell Faines] plays will determine how we play,” said coach Andy Ground before the game.
Faines did not disappoint by leading the Gauchos in scoring with 14 points and 13 rebounds in just 20 minutes.
The Chargers did not make their second field goal until there was only three minutes left to go in the half.
“We defended well on their perimeter shooting,” Ground said.
The Gauchos defense held the Chargers to only 11 percent shooting from the field and 17 percent from behind the three point line in the first half, allowing only 14 points total.
“So far we have been doing a nice job on the defensive side of the ball and we have rebounded the ball well,” Ground said. “But our inability to score easy lay-ups is what is hurting us.”
The second half was a lot more effective for both the Gauchos and Chargers who shot 54 and 33 percent from the field respectively.
“We played really good,” Faines said. “We played as a team.”
The Gauchos started to heat up from behind the arc in the second half going 4 of 7 to help the Gauchos get their 21st win of the season winning by a margin of 71-53.
“I thought we did a pretty good job in the first half defensively, [we held] them to 10 percent shooting from the field,” Ground said. “Hope to improve on our offensive efficiency, rebounding and defensive effort.”
“We always need to do better and rebound,” said guard Vonchae Richardson. “[And we need to] finish the game strong.”