SEALING THE SHIP VS. THE PIRATES

The Fullerton College men's basketball team sealed the Orange Empire Conference title on Friday night after defeating No. 27 Orange Coast College 120-76.

Undefeated in the OEC with three games left in the regular season, the Hornets (13-0) locked down the their 31st conference title since the program began in 1927. It is the 4th OEC Championship won under Head Coach Perry Webster in his seventh season. Under Webster, FC won it in 2016, 2019, 2021, and now 2022.

Orange Coast (14-10 overall, 6-6 OEC) looked as if they were going to run with Fullerton as Kui Ross knocked down a three-pointer to open the game. OCC was up 7-4 at the sixteen-minute mark, but the Hornets soon flew past the Pirates with a 42-9 run that put FC up 46-16 with six minutes left in the first half. By the time both teams headed to their respective locker rooms for the half time break, FC led it 59-34.

The second half was all Hornets as Orange Coast went cold beyond the three-point line shooting just 7.1% (1-14). FC took advantage of the Pirates pumping its largest lead to 46 points with just under three minutes left in regulation. 

Hitting 68.1% from the floor and 64% from beyond the arc, it was the second consecutive game in which the Hornets hit the 100-point mark and it was the sixth for season.

Seven FC players scored in double digits as Javon Jones led the team in scoring with 23 points (8-10 shooting). Kobe Newton put up 19 points with 4 assists and 3 steals. Shaquil Bender dropped in 13 points. Sean Newman Jr. and RJ Banks both scored 12 points each. Newman locked down a double-double dishing out 10 assists. Banks delivered 6 assists of his own. Mike Ofoegbu had 3 dunks in the midst of scoring 11 points and had 8 rebounds. Jeremiah Davis knocked out 10 points, had 5 rebounds, and 4 assists.

Up Next: The Hornets earned the No. 1 seed out of the 24 teams that qualified for the state playoffs this season. The top seed comes with a first round bye, so the Hornets will wait to see who wins between Allan Hancock and West Los Angeles on Wednesday night. Up Next: Fullerton plays the winner of Wednesday night's game this Saturday, February 25th at 7:00 pm in the North Gym. Come out and watch some exciting basketball on our home court and support your Hornets!

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