MEN’S BASKETBALL: FC FALLS SHORT IN SOCAL REGIONALS
| Final | 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
San Diego City (25-5) | 29 | 34 | 63 |
|
FULL (22-6) | 25 | 36 | 61 |
The No. 6 seeded Hornets ended their season at home Saturday night falling to No. 10 San Diego City College 63-61 in the second round of the Southern California Regionals.
A rematch of the 2017 State Final game where Fullerton lost on a last second layup 55-51, the Hornets and Knights came into the game with something to prove. Since that State Final, the two teams have played one another four times to a 2-2 tie.
It was a tight battle to the finish in a game that had 9 lead changes and 6 ties. Fullerton shot 43.8% from beyond the arc and 50% from the floor to San Diego's 27.8% (3 pointers) and 30% (from the floor). Turnovers were also the Achilles Heel for Fullerton committing 21 to the Knight's 8.
FC took a 9-2 lead early in the first half, but San Diego came rushing back to tie the game up 15-15 on a layup by Isaac Davis (8:05). Both teams matched one another shot for shot until the last seconds of the half when the Knights slipped ahead 29-25.
In the second half San Diego managed a small lead until FC took a 40-39 edge off of a three-pointer by Devin Howlin (13:23). After another heavy exchange in shots, the Knights jumped ahead 60-52 with just over two minutes left. The Hornets pressed hard getting within a point of SDCC with .3 seconds left, but Davis hit a free throw to advance his team to the 3rd round of the SoCal Regionals.
It was a solid team effort by the Hornets, which had four players score in double digits. Devin Howlin led the way with 20 points with 6 boards, while Jacob Eye man powered in 15 points with 9 rebounds and 5 blocks. Omajae Smith and Ronnie Stapp both scored 10 points each.
Fullerton ends a successful 2019-20 campaign with its fifth consecutive 20-win season and fifth straight trip to the playoffs. Head Coach Perry Webster has now amassed 120 total wins with 32 losses since taking over in 2015.
