Saddleback atop the standings in men's basketball at halfway point

Already through the first half of the season, and the Saddleback College Gauchos (23-2, 6-1) are holding a one-game lead for first place in the Orange Empire Conference. The only conference bump in the road thus far for the Gauchos was a 51-48 home-loss to Riverside City College (8-14, 3-4) on January 21st.

Looking for their fourth consecutive OEC title, Saddleback currently has two teams in the Irvine Valley College Lasers (12-10, 5-2) and the Santa Ana College Dons (12-9, 4-2) breathing down their neck as they are both tied for second place and only one-game out of first in the OEC standings. The Gauchos hold the edge over both teams, beating them both earlier this season.

Riverside and Orange Coast College (5-14, 3-4) are tied for fourth place while Cypress College (9-13, 2-5) is battling at fifth. Grabbing their first and only OEC win against Riverside last week, the Fullerton College Hornets currently sit in 6th place.

The battle for OEC supremacy continues this week this week as Saddleback will take on Santa Ana at home this Wednesday and then travel to Irvine Valley on Friday for another showdown.