Gonzales Leads Cypress to Victory

Gil Gonzales made four three-pointers and finished with 20 points as Cypress opened the Orange Empire Conference men’s basketball race with a 96-78 victory Wednesday at Fullerton.

Cypress (9-9, 1-0) also got 17 points from Jeff Rutter and 14 from David Neal, who has been bothered by a sore back for much of the season. Cypress outscored Fullerton in the second half, 49-35.

In other conference games:

Saddleback 101, Irvine Valley 63--The starters for host Saddleback outscored Irvine Valley’s 68-31, in the game in Mission Viejo. Anthony Carter had 22 and Roderick Beavers added 19 for Saddleback (13-3, 1-0). Matt Moore had 13 points for Irvine Valley (9-9, 0-1).

Rancho Santiago 79, Golden West 70--Jon Surface connected on six of eight three-pointers and finished with 26 points for Rancho Santiago, which played without starting guards Marcus Lemons and Tremain Ross. Both were held out because of missing practice.

Chris Rose had 21 points and 15 rebounds, and Ramon Alliman had 17 points for Rancho Santiago (13-5, 1-0). Ray Jimmerson scored 21 for Golden West (10-11, 0-1).

Riverside 95, Orange Coast 95--Matt Ambrose had 18 for visiting Orange Coast (9-9, 0-1). Riverside is 18-3, 1-0.