Orange Coast College

Pirates win third straight by topping L.A. Harbor

Thursday, December 21, 2006

COSTA MESA - The Orange Coast College men's basketball team will head into holiday season extra cheerful following Thursday night's 85-59 nonconference win over L.A. Harbor at the Peterson Gym.

Steve Cornett led the Pirates (8-7) with 20 points, 18 in the second half, while four other players -- Cameron Wise (13), Diego Delgado (11), Josh Poitevin (10) and Joe Nwabuzor (10 points, 10 rebounds) each reached double figures.

Thanks to 15 first-half turnovers (29 for the game), the Seahawks (3-10) were playing catch-up from the opening whistle and were never able to recover. Allen Harris led Harbor with 18 points, while Charles Jenkins added 10.

Another sparkplug for the Pirates was guard Brian Molina, who overcame a cold shooting night by helping out on defense, posting seven steals and dishing out four assists.

Playing a nonstop, pressurized defense effort, the Pirates had 10 different players score points and nine different players produced steals.

Cornett, who was slowed in the first half by three quick fouls, came out hot in the second half, going 8-of-11 from the floor in the second half.

After their one-game homestand, the Pirates are back on the road, competing in the San Jose City College Holiday Tournament. Their first opponent will be Consumnes River on Dec. 27, beginning at 8 p.m.