After leading most of the way, the Hornets could never hit the Comets with a final punch.The visiting Comets were able to stick within striking distance and outscored the Hornets 10-3 in the last three minutes of the game which completed the Comet’s comeback.

The Hornets began the second half in control leading 37-27, but saw that lead quickly go. The Comets used a 9-0 run to level up the score with 15 minutes left to play.

Fullerton guard Jayson Collins came off the bench to spark the Hornet offense. Collins went shot for shot with Palomar scoring 10 strait for the Hornets behind two huge 3-pointers. After forward Isaiah Clark added a basket of his own, the Hornets led 57-50 with just under eight minutes to play.

The Comets did not shy away from the bright lights and responded with a 10 unanswered points to take a 60-57 lead, their first of the game. The Hornets were able to tie the game at 62 behind a Blake McBride 3-pointer, but faded away after to give the Comets the game.

“We gave a poor effort on the defensive end and played selfishly on the offensive end, that’s not a recipe for success, simple as that,” said Fullerton head coach Perry Webster. “We were out-toughed today and that’s disappointing.”

The Hornets started with a bang, jumping out to a 21-9 lead at the midway point of the first half. The Hornets were led by starting point guard Ian Fox who had 15 points in the first half.

Fullerton survived the first real push from Palomar late in the first half, when the Comets battled to cut the Hornet lead to four points with a 6-0 run of their own.

The Hornets were also aided by the strong performance of guard Julian Richardson who ended with 12 points and five assists.

In the end, the Hornets had no answer for Comet forward Matt Duniphan who scored 15 in the second half. Duniphan ended the game with a double-double by adding 10 rebounds to his 19 points, which led all scorers.

“We can’t worry about anyone else, we need to work on ourselves to get better and continue to improve for the rest of the season,” said Webster.

Fullerton (5-2) look to bounce back at the Bakersfield Tournament Nov. 27-29.