Hawks' Strong 2nd Half Performance Helps Secure 111-86 Win over Saddleback

#2 Ranked Santiago Canyon used a 65-point second half to secure the victory over Saddleback tonight in the Orange Empire Conference.  The Hawks held a 46-43 lead at the break, and only had a 5-point lead with about 8 minutes remaining, but finished with a flurry of three-pointers down the stretch to widen the margin of victory.  The first half was a back and forth battled between the Hawks and Gauchos.  Each time one team took a 5-6 point lead, the other would respond back with timely baskets.  The lead changed hands five different times.  At the half, A.J. Garrity led all scorers with 13 points and Antoine Jenkins had 11 points.  SCC connected on 9 threes in the half on 22 attempts, but only managed 4 for 10 from inside the arc.  Garrity also grabbed 5 rebounds in the first half.  

The second half started the same way the first half was played with each team scoring at both ends of the floor.  The Hawks made their move with about 8 minutes remaining and connected on consecutive three-pointers.  They quickly built a 5-point lead into a 15-point lead and never looked back.  SCC was able to stretch the gap to 27 points with under a minute to play, and finished the night with a 111-86 victory.  In all, the Hawks connected on 20 three-point shots on 38 attempts. SCC had 6 players make two or more three pointers. Jenkins led the way in scoring with 28 points and 4 threes. Garrity contributed 22 points, including 4 three-pointers. Lucas Holden finished with 18 points, including 3 for 3 from distance. David Agba scored 14 points, with 2 threes. Paulo Araujo chipped in with 13 points and 3 three-pointers, and Paul Vilela rounded out the double-digit scorers with 12 points and 3 made threes. Holden led the team in rebounding with 8, while Jenkins led the way in assists with 8. The Hawks totalled 20 assists on the night.

With the victory, the Hawks improved their overall record to 22-1 and conference record to 10-1. SCC will continue Orange Empire Conference play next Friday as they travel to Golden West College. Tip-off is set for 5pm.