Pirates sweep past the Rustlers, twice

COSTA MESA Sophomore guard Jason Garey set a school record with

his 81st three-point field goal of the season on the way to 17 points

to lead the Orange Coast College men’s basketball team to an 80-68

Orange Empire Conference victory over visiting Golden West Wednesday

night.

The Pirates, 14-7, 3-2 in the OEC, held the Rustlers off after the

latter cut the gap to 59-56 with 7:49 to play.

Sophomore guard Stephon Seales scored two of his 18 points, all in

the final half, to stem the tide at 61-56 on the next possession. The

Rustlers stayed close at 65-61 with 4:31 left, but Garey put the game

away with his final three pointer on the ensuing possession and the

lead grew from there.

Garey finished with 17 points, while Aaron Bobik (20), Lanier

Brown (12) and Seales spearheaded the offense.

Bobik added eight rebounds, six assists and five steals and a

standout effort.

Orange Coast’s women had the verdict locked early as Nancy

Hatsushi netted 11 points and a career-high 10 assists to pace the

Coasters, who improved to 20-3, 5-0 in the OEC.

Leading, 9-5, after 5:30, the Bucs held the Rustlers scoreless

over the next nine minutes as Hatsushi led the Pirates to a 17-0 run.

The Bucs then used a 15-4 spurt that consumed the next 4:43 to go up,

41-9.

Lindsey Galasso broke out of recent shooting slump and hit 5 of 8

from three-point range, connecting on four straight attempts in the

first half, to lead the Pirates with 17 points as they extended their

winning streak to 15 games.

Lauren Murray added 10 pints and five rebounds as every Coast

player saw the court.

Ashley Jensen posted 11 points and 10 rebounds to lead the

Rustlers, who fell to 9-10, 0-5.

Orange Coast heads south to Mission Viejo on Friday for a crucial

conference doubleheader against Saddleback. The men tip off at 5:30

p.m., and the women follow at 7:30 p.m.