MEN’S BASKETBALL: TIGERS BREAK HORNET WIN STREAK

The No. 2 Hornet men's basketball team wrapped up an exhausting three-game week at home Friday night, and fell in a hard-fought game to No. 30 Riverside City College 69-59.

Prior to tipoff, the 2019 State banner was unveiled in the Hornet Nest rafters. The 2018-19 team and coaching staff was honored for winning the fourth state title in the college's history.

The FC loss breaks a 22-game win streak dating back to last season. Fullerton's overall record now stands at 17-1 with an Orange Empire Conference record of 6-1. The Riverside win gives them an overall record of 12-8 overall with an OEC record of 7-1.

Harrison Bonner got the game started hitting a deep three-point shot for FC. Riverside's Xavier Ford punched back with three of his own, and the dogfight was on. Punching it out through the first half, Fullerton owned a narrow 25-24 lead by the break.

Fullerton pressed forward in the second half taking their largest lead at 36-28 by 14:48, but the Tigers did not blink tying the game up at 45 by 8:50 off of a three-pointer that was jacked up by Keylin Vance (28 total points off the bench). Everything fell in for Riverside in the final 6 minutes as they took over the game to earn the win.

It was a tightly contested match that featured 8 ties and 9 lead changes, but RCC's three-pointers (11-21 – 52%) made the difference along with scoring more points off of turnovers (16 to FC's 8).

The Hornet's Harrison Bonner scored a team-high 18 points, while Omajae Smith dropped in 14 with 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Jacob Eyman had 9 points with 6 rebounds. Ryen Perry also had 9 points.  

Up Next: No. 2 Fullerton (17-1, 6-1) will hit the road against No. 21 Saddleback College on Wednesday, January 22nd at 5:00 pm.

*Photos by Phil Thurman and Jim McCormack

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