Gauchos zap Hornets with big second half

The Saddleback men's basketball team had a big second half in beating Fullerton College, 67-55, on Friday night at the Saddleback Gymnasium.  The Gauchos carried a narrow one-point lead into the second half before cruising to a comfortable win.

Saddleback and Fullerton traded body-blows for the first 20 minutes, as both teams dug in defensively in a big Orange Empire Conference matchup.  The Gauchos then threw a haymaker to start the second half, outscoring the Hornets 18-4 to start the frame and never looking back. 

McKay LaSalle (pictured) led Saddleback with 17 points on the night, scoring 14 in the first half as the Gauchos shot just 33% from the field in the first 20 minutes.  Josh Smith, Darnell Taylor and Carlton Hayes then picked up the slack in the second half, combining for 31 points as Saddleback looked like a completely different team.

Saddleback was also very good from the free throw line in the second 20 minutes, making 13-of-16 from the charity stripe.  The Gauchos also held an 18-8 advantage in points-in-the-paint in the second half, shooting 48% from the field.

Saddleback improved to 17-4 overall and 4-0 in Orange Empire Conference play with the win.  The Gauchos will play again next Wednesday at Riverside College.  Tip time is set for 7:30 PM.