Orange Coast College

Men's Basketball: Strong second half propels Pirates past Jaguars

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

COSTA MESA -- A 15-2 run in the game's final four minutes of play was the difference-maker for the Orange Coast College men's basketball team in Wednesday's 72-62 nonconference win over visiting Southwestern College.

Trailing 60-75 with 4:35 left, the Pirates' defense clamped down and held the Jaguars scoreless the final 2:30 of the game.

While OCC's defense was doing its thing, Coast was finding success at the free-throw line. Led by Martin Whitmore (8-of-10), the Pirates (4-6) went 10-of-12 down the stretch from the charity stripe.

Whitmore led the Coast offense with 16 points, five rebounds, three steals, while Chris Curtis (12 points, five rebounds), Joseph Bonner (11 points) and Brian Helmuth (10 points, seven rebounds) all reached double figures.

Moses Omalade led the Jags (3-8) with 20 points and 12 rebounds, while Karim Rodriguez added 18 points.

OCC returns to action on Friday at the L.A. Southwest Tournament. The Pirates will return home on Jan. 14 against Orange Empire Conference rival Saddleback, beginning at 7:30 p.m.