Men's Basketball Title Up For Grabs on Thursday Night

The Orange Empire Conference champion in men's basketball will be crowned on Thursday night (February 16) when Saddleback College (24-3 overall, 10-1 in conference) hosts Fullerton College (21-6, 10-1) in the final game of the regular season.  Tipoff is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. in the Saddleback College gym.

Saddleback enters the game ranked No. 1 in Southern California and No. 2 in the state, boasting the state's top defense by allowing opponents just 55 points per game.  Fullerton is ranked No. 4 in Southern California and No. 6 in the state.

These two teams have already squared off twice this season.  Saddleback won the first meeting in December at the Riverside Holiday Tournament, 58-50.  Fullerton was able to pull out a 46-45 barn-burner at home during the first round of conference play, holding on in the final seconds as Saddleback's final shot missed the mark.

There will also be a coaching battle going on as the student takes on the teacher.  Fullerton head coach Perry Webster played under Saddleback head coach Andy Ground for one season at Irvine Valley College when Ground was an assistant coach there, then followed his mentor to Saddleback to earn MVP honors of the state championship game when Saddleback won the title in 2010.  Webster then became an assistant coach under Ground and the pair coached Saddleback to the state title again in 2015.

Admission to Thursday's game is $10 for general admission and $8 for students, senior citizens, and active military.