MEN'S BASKETBALL: TIGHT ONE IN THE HORNETS NEST

#10 Fullerton College hosted #1 in the state Saddleback College on Friday night as the Hornets came close, but the Gauchos pulled out the narrow Orange Empire Conference win 56-54.

The loss gives Fullerton an overall record of 16-5, and they took their first conference loss of the season at 4-1. The Gaucho's win bumps their record to 20-1 overall and keeps them undefeated in the OEC at 5-0.

The game was another close one from start to end just like their last meeting back on December 10th at the Riverside City College Tournament (a 65-60 Saddleback win). The game had the energy of a heavyweight fight that featured 15 lead changes and 9 ties. Every shot the fans winced and cheered as if they were following punches blow by blow.

FC took their largest lead of the game 33-26 with just over thirty seconds left in the first half. They held a 33-28 lead by the half's end.

In the second half, the Hornets lost their lead at the 13:02 mark on Breon Brady's lay-in giving Saddleback a 36-35 edge.

FC's Julian Richardson erased that deficit on a three-pointer with 12:19 left giving the Hornets a 38-36 lead.

With just over four minutes left, the game was tied at 49 apiece. The crafty Saddleback team made their move hurting the Hornets at the foul line scoring four consecutive points (53-49 at 1:39).

Time was quickly running off the scoreboard as the Gauchos held a three-point lead (55-52). Richardson wisely attempted a three-pointer with only 10 seconds left in the game just missing his mark, however he was fouled. Richardson missed the first of three, but hit the final two free throws.

The Hornets played a great game against the number one team in the state, but tonight was not their night against last season's champs.

Richardson was lights out scoring a game-high 23 points and Ian Fox added 11 of his own. Kenny Barnes scored 6 points and had 8 rebounds. Isaiah Clark had 4 points with 5 rebounds. For Saddleback, TJ Shorts had only 4 points in the first half, but ended up scoring 11 in the game. He also contributed 5 assists. Maurice Jones came off the bench to score a team-high 16 points and Breon Brady scored 12 points with 7 rebounds.

Up Next: Fullerton (17-4, 5-0) will host OEC and district rival #12 in SoCal Cypress College on Wednesday, January 27th for another Orange Empire Conference showdown. Tip off is at 5:00 pm. Come on out and support your Hornets!

*Photo by Matt Brown

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