WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: COLLEEN RILEY TOURNEY SUCCESS

The Hornets hosted the Colleen Riley Holiday Tournament over the holiday break and won two out of three games to take second place.

The tournament began on Thursday with Fullerton opening up with a 73-56 win against San Diego Mesa College. Both teams kept it close in the first quarter, until the Olympians rode a 22-16 lead into the second quarter. With the game tied at 37-37 at 8:35 in the third quarter, the Hornets swung the game in their favor going on a 11-0 run ending in a three-pointer by Fia Tailele-Latu with 6 minutes left third quarter. The fourth was all Fullerton as they went on to take a 19-point with three minutes left. Jaelyn Alderete came off the bench to lead the Hornets in scoring with 18 points. Tailele-Latu and Moriah Serrano both put up 15 points, while Hannah Jones helped out with 10. She also added 10 rebounds for her first double-double of the season.  

On Friday, FC took on No. 14 in state Skyline College and beat the Trojans in a tight one 52-45. The game was a close battle all the way through, until the end of the third quarter when Jones hit a three-pointer that began a 7-0 run putting Fullerton up for good. Serrano led FC in scoring with 14 points. Tristian Johns followed with 11 points and Lyneya Turner scored 8 points.

In the championship game on Saturday, the Hornets fell in a tough one to No. 10 Mount San Antonio College 65-55. The Hornets and Mounties exchanged shots, until the Mt. SAC jumped ahead 25-14 at 6:19 in the second quarter. Making a push, Fullerton caught back up 39-37 at the 5-minute mark in the third on a pair of free throws by Tailele. The fourth quarter belonged to the Mounties as they held off the Hornets to win the tournament for the 9^th time in the last 12 years. Johns led all scorers with 16 points, while Serrano dropped in 15. Turner contributed 8 points with 6 rebounds.

Colleen Riley Holiday Tournament Champs – Mount San Antonio College

Runner-up - Fullerton College

Third Place – Skyline College

Consolation Champs – Long Beach City College

All-Tourney Team

Up Next: The Hornets (8-6 overall) will play again on Wednesday, January 9^th when they begin Orange Empire Conference play at home against Riverside City College. Tipoff is at 7:00 pm.

Like us on Facebook!