ORANGE EMPIRE CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS!

The No. 5 FC basketball squad finished off the regular season on Friday defeating Golden West College 111-79 earning the right for its 3rd Orange Empire Conference title under head coach Perry Webster. 

It was the largest scoring output of the season for Fullerton. The last time FC went over 100 points was in November of 2019 against Grossmont (101). It was the largest points scored in a game since the 1992-93 season (116) against Azusa Pacific JV team under Head Coach Roger See. The school record for most points in a game is 137 against San Bernardino Valley in November of 1990 under Coach See. 

It was not an easy run for the Hornets this week, who had to play four games against OEC foes due to postponements due to COVID-19 protocol. Monday saw FC get past a tough Cypress team 64-57, and then on Wednesday Fullerton suffered its second OEC loss at No. 14 Santiago Canyon College  85-72. The Hornets traveled to Golden West on Thursday and branded the Rustlers 82-61, and then Friday did it again at home with Golden West with a 111-79 win. 

The 2022 OEC championship is the 30th conference title for the Fullerton College basketball program that is steeped in a tradition of winning. The Riverside City College Tigers are also the co-champions finishing with an OEC record of 14-2. The Hornets and the Tigers split the season series 1-1.

For the game, the Hornets came out hot grabbing a 14-6 lead at 14:55 that was set up by Kobe Newton's 3-pointer. Golden West got back into the game 33-31 by the 4:52 mark and did its best keep in stride with Fullerton. By the time halftime rolled around, FC held a 45-42 lead. 

The Hornets kicked down the door in the second half going on a 19-4 run (64-46) by the 15-minute mark. From there, the score-fest was on with FC pushing its biggest lead of the game to 37 with 23 seconds left to play. 

Five players scored in double digits for the Hornets with Ronnie Stapp leading the way with 21 points (4-5 three-pointers). Kobe Newton looked great scoring 20 points with 5 rebounds, and Tristan Williams dropped in 17 points with 5 boards. Gaven Ramirez put up 13 points with 5 rebounds, and Ryan Blackmon dropped in 11 points with 5 assists.  

Up Next: The No. 1 seeded Hornets (24-3 overall, 14-2 OEC Champs) will get some much-needed rest as they wait to play the winner of No. 17 Mt. San Jacinto and No. 16 Mt. San Antonio in the 2nd round of the SoCal Regional Playoffs on Thursday, March 3rd in the Hornets Nest at 7:00 pm.