MEN'S BASKETBALL: ANOTHER NAIL-BITER

After getting past Cypress on Wednesday by two points, the Hornets made it interesting at home Friday night just edging Irvine Valley 66-65.

The Hornet win helps them keep pace in the Orange Empire Conference at 6-1 (18-5 overall) just behind first place Saddleback College. The Laser loss lands them at 1-6 in the OEC and 13-10 overall.

The first half seemed to be all Fullerton as they jumped on IVC in the first three minutes 12-4. Shots were sinking as Blake McBride hit three consecutive shots (a three, a two, and a three).

Then IVC had enough as they struck back with a 14-7 run that tied the game up at 21 apiece at the 6:09 mark. Irvine's speed and hard work paid off as they took a 28-21 lead with three minutes left in the half.

Making a strong push back, Fullerton got within three points (34-31) by the end of the half.

The second half was a shootout with both teams battling to keep within a few points of each other. IVC came on strong with just over seven minutes left.

The Lasers had it all go there way taking their largest lead of the game 64-54 at the 4:42 mark.

Momentum and time seemed to be on Irvine Valley's side, until FC closed the gap on four points by Julian Richardson (layup and two free throws). Ian Fox then drove the lane flipping in another two, and Kenny Barnes added a nice power dunk. Fox stole the ball and scored on a layup. Fox stole the ball again and flipped it to Kenny Barnes who scored on a layup giving the Hornets a 66-64 lead with 20 seconds left in regulation. In all, FC scored 12 unanswered points in a matter of four minutes to win a very close game. IVC did hit a free throw with two seconds to go.

The Hornets were out-rebounded 34-24 and shot 44% to IVC's 45%. The difference-maker was at the line where FC converted 71.4% to Irvine's 66.7% (Personal Fouls: IVC 18, FULL 12).

It was Fox's two savvy steals that turned the game around by giving FC all the momentum they needed to push past the Lasers for another conference win.

Held to zero points in the first half, Fox exploded in the second scoring a game-high 15 points. Richardson pumped in 14 points with 5 rebounds and 3 assists. Barnes contributed 12 points and McBride had 8.

Up Next: The Hornets (18-5, 6-1) have a bye next Wednesday, but will pick up where they left off on Friday, February 5th when they host Riverside City College (11-12, 3-4). Tip off is at 7:00 pm.

Catch the final seconds of the game here!

*Photo by Matt Brown

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