Santa Ana Lines Up a Victory Over Saddleback

Santa Ana, which struggled at the free-throw line earlier, made 11 of 13 free throws in overtime to upset first-place Saddleback, 84-75, in an Orange Empire Conference men’s basketball game Friday at Santa Ana.

Brian Siddons made five of six free throws in overtime for Santa Ana (20-9, 8-4), which moved into a third-place tie with Irvine Valley. The Dons had made only 14 of 27 free throws in regulation.

Saddleback (19-9, 10-2) started the game with a chance to clinch a tie for the conference title but now has only a one-game lead over Riverside with two left.

Saddleback hosts Fullerton Wednesday and Riverside Friday. Santa Ana had a chance to take a double-figure lead but made only four of 12 free throws during a second-half stretch of about two minutes.

Santa Ana led, 68-62, with 3 minutes 14 seconds left. But Saddleback rallied and eventually tied it on a short bank shot by Andre Jackson with 35 seconds left in regulation.