Dons suffer demoralizing loss

MEN’s BASKETBALL.
Game date: Friday, January 27, 2012.

Saddleback guard Josh Smith’s transition dunk in the first half killed whatever momentum the Dons had going.

The Gauchos dismantled the visiting Dons Friday night, 72-47 in a physical game marred, or made better, with late game showboating by the home team. The win marked Saddleback Head Coach Andy Ground’s 100th career win.

“It is part of basketball,” Head Coach David Breig said. “I hoped we could have more respect for each other.”

Eager to avenge a three-point loss against the Dons at Santa Ana College earlier this month, the Gauchos took the lead for good two and a half minutes into the game when the team went up 6-4. Saddleback is 6-1 in the Orange Empire Conference, with its only loss coming off a second-half meltdown against a younger SAC team.

The Dons’ suffered through a game-long cold spell, draining just 13 field goals for an ugly .265 field goal percentage. The team made up for the rest by canning 19 free throws, out of 30 attempts.

“We are kind of off,” guard Kacy Barlow said. “We haven’t had a game in about a week and a half. We were kind of sluggish.”

Barlow scored 11 points, the only Don in double figures.

“I’m just playing within my role. Just taking the opportunities that were there and doing what the coaches say,” Barlow said.

The loss drops the Dons to (8-12 Overall, 2-5 OEC). The team will travel to Irvine Wednesday to play Irvine Valley College.