WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: CONSOLATION CHAMPS

After stumbling in a close opening game against Santa Monica College, the Hornets won their next two games to take the Consolation Championship at the 41st Colleen Riley Holiday Tournament.

Game one of the tourney on Saturday was a battle as Fullerton and Santa Monica fought it out from start to finish with the Corsairs taking it 74-70. With the scored tied 38-38 at the half, FC came out flat in the third quarter and SMC took advantage grabbing their largest lead of 19 (61-42) with a minute left in the quarter. The Hornets refused to give up and fought back in the fourth getting within 3 points (73-70). Fullerton's strong push was not enough as time ran off the clock handing them the loss. Moriah Serrano led the Hornets with 16 points. Sydney Nekola and Celise Moreno both scored 9 points, while Hannah Jones followed up with 8 points.

Sunday's game against Cerritos College had a different result as Fullerton went on to win big against the Falcons 67-46. The game was tied 10-10 near the end of the first quarter, but the Hornets went on a 7-2 run by the second. By halftime, Fullerton controlled the pace of the game with a healthy 32-18 lead and never looked back. Angela Zendejas had her best game as a Hornet scoring 19 points with 10 rebounds for a double-double. She also had 4 assists, 6 steals and 2 blocks. Hannah Jones put up 13 points and Sydney Nekola came off the bench to score 10.

Monday's matchup against San Diego Mesa was for the Consolation Championship, and the Hornets were not about to be denied winning 59-51. Fullerton jumped on the Olympians early in the first quarter taking a 16-8 lead. By halftime FC maintained a 30-21 edge and never gave up the lead. FC grabbed its largest lead of 15 in the fourth (52-37) and held on for the win. Katie Salas had a team-high 18 points with 5 rebounds. Sydney Nekola had 12 points and Moriah Serrano put up 9. 

The 2019 tournament champion was once again Mount San Antonio College after defeating Skyline College 61-57. The Mounties have now won the tournament 6 seasons straight and 15 out of the last 20 seasons.

The 41st Colleen Riley All-Tournament Team

Mt. San Antonio College: Lauryn Manns (MVP), Aujane Mayes, Skylarr Little
Skyline College: Jalene Parangan, Olga Faasolo
Long Beach City College: Donavion Huskey, Isabel Lizzaraga
Santa Monica College: Danielle Roberts
Fullerton College: Angela Zendajas, Moriah Serrano
San Diego Mesa: Samantha Lemay-Zambrano
Cerritos College: Nicole Lizzaraga
West Hills-Lemoore College: Alejandra Fernandez. 

Up Next: Fullerton (8-6 overall) will begin Orange Empire Conference-play on Wednesday, January 8th when they host Orange Coast College. Game time is at 6:00 pm.

THE TOURNAMENT BRACKET & GUIDE

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