Originally written for publishing on February 28, 2013.

Fullerton College men’s basketball team fell a couple of free throws short in Wednesday evening’s 67-69 playoff loss to the Mt. San Jacinto Eagles in game that went down to the wire.

The game had five lead changes and the final outcome would not be decided until the final minute and a half. Down 69-64 with 1:08 left on the clock, Hornet guard Tyler Payne hit a three-pointer to bring Fullerton within two points.

Payne got to the free-throw line with two seconds left in the game and had to make both free throws to tie. Unfortunately Payne missed the first free throw attempt and that forced him to intentionally miss the second shot in order to get the put back.

With the attempt unsuccessful, the Hornets’ season officially cam to an end. This was Fullerton’s first time in the playoffs in three years.

Fullerton shot 47 percent (25-56) from the field and 43 percent (6-14) from behind the three-point line to Mt. San Jacinto’s 50 percent (19-10) from the field and 60 percent from behind the three-point line.

Payne led all scorers with 20 points. Followed by Julian Caldwell with 18 points and seven rebounds. Rufus Jemison, Khalfani Williams, and Dakota Allinson all finished with seven points.

The bench for the Eagles outscored the Hornets’ bench 24-10. The Hornets played with only eight players on their sideline to the Eagles full roster of 10 players.

The Hornets finished their season off 14-14 and hope to build off their success of this season and move forward