Fullerton College men’s basketball team season comes to end as they fall short to San Diego city college 63-61
The Hornets (22-6) came in as the No. 6 seed while the Knights (25-5) ranked No.10.
The Hornets started the first half strong, as they took an early 11-2 lead in the first five minutes, with freshmen forward-center Jacob Eyman coming out strong and scoring five of the first eleven points.
The scenario quickly changed as the Knights turned the scoreboard around by going on a 15-4 run and putting the score 17-15 at the seven-minute mark.
The last five minutes of the first half became a back and forth, as freshmen guard-forward Ronnie Stapp converted a three-point jump shot that gave the Hornets back the lead 22-21 momentarily.
The Hornets lost their one-point lead and went into half-time trailing 29-25.
The Hornets shot 47% from field goal range and were able to hold the Knights to 28% from field goal range but managed to let Knights score 12 points in the paint.
“You know the points that we were giving out were off turnovers…they shot 30% or even less I think for the game…but I think they shot the ball 20 more times than us, they got to the free throw line more than us… that happens in basketball,” said FC Head Coach Perry Webster.
The second half started with the Hornets scoring a three-point jump shot from freshmen guard Devin Howlin who finished the game as the Hornets lead scorer with 20 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist and a jump shot from Stapp giving the Hornet back the lead 30-29.
From there the intensity of the game picked up as the Hornets and Knights exchanged leads back and forth.
With two minutes left to go in the second half the Knights had an eight point lead, putting the score 60-52 but the Hornets weren’t going to give up that easily.
The Hornets managed to cut down the Knights lead to within four points and with 30 seconds left on the game. A three-point jump shot from Howlin put the Hornets even closer putting the score at 61-59 still in favor of the Knights.
The Knights were able to close out a very dramatic game and put an end to the Hornets season and Webster couldn’t be any prouder of the fight his team put out there on the floor.
“It’s really difficult to lose so many primary guys in a quick span late in the year… but what I learn is that my guys have great fight and great character and for that I’m proud. Those are the things we talked about all the time and that’s what will live with,” said Webster.
Hornet hearts were broken tonight and for Stapp that doesn’t get in the way of his devotion he has for his team.
“I love my teammates. We just had a blast this season,” said Stapp.
