Bobcats cruise past Eagles

The Saddleback men's basketball team defeated Mt. San Jacinto College, 69-58, on Saturday afternoon in San Jacinto.  The Bobcats received 21 points off the bench from Nikolas Grguric in outpacing the Eagles.

Saddleback had a big first half when the defense clamped down on Mt. San Jacinto and used it to jump out to a 10-point lead at the intermission.  The Bobcats never trailed in the game, opening up a 13 point lead in the opening half after Grguric drained a 3-pointer with 6:37 remaining for a 24-11 lead.  Saddleback's defense frustrated the Eagles most of the half, allowing just five points over a seven-minute span while the offense was building up the lead.

The two teams played even throughout the first 7+ minutes of the second half when Saddleback upped the lead to 16 points with back-to-back three-pointers from Grguric and Jackson Gray.  Grguric would follow with another basket on a jumper as Saddleback increased the lead to 49-31 with just under 12 minutes remaining.  The Bobcats would have their biggest lead of the game at 23 points when Gray buried another three-pointer for a 62-39 lead with 6:17 left on the clock.  Saddleback would cruise across the finish line with an 11-point win.

Grguric finished with a season-high 21 points, making 3-of-6 from three-point range 6-of-8 from the free throw line.  T.J. Tittelfitz and Jackson Gray both added 15 points in support.  Saddleback's defense forced 21 turnovers in the game.

Saddleback is now 6-6 overall for the season.  The Bobcats will open Orange Empire Conference play on Wednesday when they host Orange coast College.  Tip time is scheduled for 5:00 PM inside the gymnasium.