Saddleback Settles for Co-Championship

Saddleback, playing without starting forward Andre Jackson, could not hold off visiting Riverside down the stretch and the Tigers rallied to earn a share of the Orange Empire men’s basketball title with a 78-72 victory.

The teams finished 11-3 in conference, but Riverside will get the higher seed going into the Southern California playoffs because the Tigers (25-9 overall) held the tie-breaker over Saddleback (20-10).

Riverside celebrated afterward, but Saddleback Coach Bill Brummel also was smiling. “They just tied us,” Brummel said, “they didn’t beat us. I’m proud of our guys and I won’t let this diminish what they accomplished.”

Jackson, who averages 12 points and eight rebounds, was out with a groin injury but for 75% of the game, Saddleback was in command.

The Gauchos were up, 62-50, with 9 minutes 30 seconds left but Riverside then got its fastbreak in gear and Saddleback began to struggle.

Don Crowden made two free throws to put Riverside up, 71-69, with 3:34 left and Saddleback was never closer the rest of the way.