Bobcats enjoy well-balanced meal

The Saddleback men's basketball team improved to 5-2 on the season with a 69-53 win against Victor Valley College on Wednesday inside the gymnasium.  The Bobcats will play again on Monday.

Saddleback was balanced all evening long.  The starters scored 35 points and the bench scored 34.  In total, four different players scored in double-figures, led by Jimuel Reyes (pictured).

Reyes finished with a team-high 12 points on 4-of-6 shooting from the field and 2-of-2 from the free throw line.  He was followed closely by a trio of players that came off the bench to score 10 points.  Elijah Al-Debaran, James Burries and John McFadden all scored 10 apiece as Victor Valley had trouble trying to figure out who to stop.

Saddleback bolted out of the gate with 12 straight points as Victor Valley couldn't find the bottom of the net.  The Rams finally scored with 14:54 on the clock, but had built themselves a big deficit.

Victor Valley made a little run to cut the lead to 10 with under two minutes remaining in the half.  The Bobcats responded with a 3-pointer from Al-Debaran and a layup from Burries and carried a 35-23 lead into the locker room.

Saddleback put the game on ice when they went on a run to start the second half.  The Bobcats outscored the Rams 19-4 over the first 7:10 to take a 54-27 lead.  The Rams eventually found their stride in the second half, but it was too little too late. 

Saddleback's defensive pressure caused a lot of problems for Victor Valley as the Bobcats forced 17 turnovers.  Reyes and Derek Rubidoux finished with four steals apiece to lead the team.

Saddleback is now 5-2 overall on the season.  The Bobcats will host Los Angeles Trade Tech on Monday night inside the gymnasium.  The Bobcats and Beavers are set to tip off at 5:00 PM.