MEN'S BASKETBALL: HORNETS GET PAST TIGERS

The #6 FC men's basketball squad beat #14 Riverside City College 70-61 at home on Friday night in an Orange Empire Conference match-up.

The Fullerton sophomores were honored tonight as they played their final regular season home game in the Hornets Nest. Players Ian Fox, Kenny Barnes, Jordan Watkins, Nick Anderson, Johnathon Ross, Dillon Reise, Jesse Ghee, Caden Williams, and Mitch Vines were escorted onto the court by their parents and recognized for their hard work and dedication.

The first five minutes remained close until the Hornets went on a 9-2 run taking a 17-10 lead at 11:28. Then RCC went on a 10-2 run of their own to take a 20-19 lead at 7:53.

Ian Fox broke it up on Fullerton's next possession on a slashing layup to take back the lead at 21-20. From there, the Hornets owned the rest of the half taking a 42-32 lead as both teams headed to the lockers.

The Hornets maintained a decent lead throughout most of the half, until the Tigers got within one point (58-57) of Fullerton on a three-pointer by Bray Ivey (7:13).

For the next four minutes, both teams exchanged shots with FC holding a narrow one-point lead, until Ian Fox hit a jumper and Dillon Reise hit a free throw giving FC some breathing room at 65-61 (3:25). In the final minute, Fullerton's Nick Anderson hit a jumper and a couple of free throws preventing any threat to the Hornet win.

Ian Fox a game-high 20 points on the night. He also contributed 5 rebounds and 3 assists. Nigel Carter was hot from beyond the arc going 4-5 with 14 points. Matching Carter with 14 points was Dillon Reise, who also had 6 rebounds. Kendall Lauderdale had a double-double dropping in 10 points with 10 rebounds.

The victory tallies Fullerton's Orange Empire Conference record to 9-1 and 20-6 overall. The FC win also marks the second 20-win season for Coach Perry Webster since he took over in 2014. The RCC loss now gives them an OEC record of 6-4 with an overall record of 19-8.

Up Next: The Hornets (20-6, 9-1) will play at Orange Coast College on Tuesday, February 14th. Tip off against the Pirates will be at 5:00 pm.

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