Todd, Irvine Valley Defeat Rancho Santiago

Daryl Todd scored 20 points in the second half, including six in a row during a key stretch, as host Irvine Valley beat Rancho Santiago, 74-64, in an Orange Empire Conference men’s basketball game Friday.

Todd, a sophomore forward, finished with 27 points for first-place Irvine Valley.

Todd picked up a loose ball and made a short jumper as the shot clock ran out it to put Irvine Valley up, 62-57, with 2 minutes 9 seconds left in the game.

He added a rebound basket for a 64-57 lead with about 1:50 left. He then teamed with Brad Thornton for the key play in the game.

Irvine Valley was having trouble inbounding but Thornton saw Todd break for the basket and threw a perfect pass. Todd made the basket, was fouled and made the free throw for a 67-57 lead with 1:39 left.

“We put Brad in because he’s a clever guy,” Irvine Valley Coach Jerry Hernandez said. “We feel we can always get the ball into Daryl. He has such good hands, is strong and is mean.”

Brandon Hearvey added 18 and J.C. Timmons 10 for Irvine Valley. Todd, who was 10 of 19 from the field and six of six on free throws, Hearvey and Timmons are all returning starters.

Lohnnie Tape, who made 11 of 13 free throws, had 27 for Rancho Santiago (11-8, 1-3), which has lost three in a row.

In other conference games:

Fullerton 96, Riverside 91--Brian Montonati had 19 points and 12 rebounds and Ty-Juan Berry had 16 points and seven assists for the Hornets (11-9, 4-0), who remained in a first-place tie with Irvine Valley. Fullerton will host Irvine Valley next Friday.

Riverside is 16-7, 3-1.

Cypress 101, Orange Coast 93--Willie Allen scored 28 points and Frankie Floyd finished with 18 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists for Cypress (10-9, 2-2).

Adrian Reyes had 25 points and eight assists for Orange Coast (9-11, 0-4).

Saddleback 69, Golden West 67--Brian Scoggin, who scored 12 points for Saddleback (11-8, 2-2), capped a 17-5 run with a three-pointer to give the Gauchos a 68-66 lead with 1:21 remaining.

Ray Jimmerson made six three-pointers and scored 24 points for Golden West (5-15, 0-4).