DEFEATING DONS IN OT

The No. 3 Hornets had their hands full at home Monday night with unranked Santa Ana College, who pushed the game into overtime as Fullerton nearly escaped with a 71-70 Orange Empire Conference win.

It was Fullerton's eighth straight win giving the team a 16-1 overall record with an undefeated 6-0 record in the OEC standings. The Santa Ana loss bumps the team down to 4-11 overall with an OEC record of 1-4.

The game seemed as if FC would run away with it as the Hornets quickly took a 5-0 lead within the first couple of minutes. It did not matter as the Dons came to play swinging the lead in their favor 12-5 by 14:59 on a 3-pointer by Thomas Billinger. After a Hornet timeout was called, FC got within three points (15-12) by 12:51, but Santa Ana forged ahead 25-14 by the 9-minute mark. With a minute left, a layup by Gaven Ramirez tied the game up at 32 apiece. The Dons would end the half with an easy layin taking a 34-32 lead by the break.

Fullerton did its best to separate from Santa Ana but could not shake the Dons. Things were looking good by the 10-minute mark as FC managed a 48-42 lead, but SAC answered back tying the game up 48-48 on a jumper by Camren Johnson. The game turned into a rumble with both teams struggling to get the edge over one another. Tristan Williams' 3-point-shot seemed to ice the game at 59-56 with 33 seconds left in regulation. As the final seconds ticked off the clock, Billinger hit the only 3-pointer for the Dons in the second half tying the game up to force an overtime period.

Kobe Newton opened up OT with a 3-pointer for FC, and Billinger matched it for Santa Ana. Newton hit another 3-pointer and the Dons matched it with an and-one-play that involved Camren Johnson. Williams connected on a mid-range jumper putting Fullerton up 69-67, but the Dons clapped back with a three by Kyndle Terrell-Jones giving SAC a 70-69 advantage. With 8 seconds left in the game, Chazz Hutchison broke loose under the basket and was fouled while dunking the ball. Forced to the free throw line with the game on his shoulders, Hutchison came through in the clutch sinking both free throw attempts. Santa Ana had one more chance for a shot, but its magic for the night ran out as the ball clanked on the side of the backboard preserving the Fullerton win. 

The Hornets have struggled from the floor the last couple of games. Tonight the team shot 37.5% from the floor and 30.3% from beyond the arc. FC was out-rebounded 43-42 and committed 15 turnover to SAC's 12. The saving grace was the free throw line where FC shot 81.3% to the Don's 42.9%.

Kobe Newton led had a game-high matching his jersey number with 23 points. He also added 8 rebounds on the night. Chazz Hutchison followed up with 13 points, and Tristan Williams scored 12. Ronnie Stapp helped out with 9 points and 5 assists for the win.

Up Next: Fullerton (16-1 overall, 6-0 OEC) hits the pavement on Wednesday, January 26th when the team travels to No. 28 Irvine Valley College. Game time is at 6:00 pm. The first time the two teams met this season was in the Hornets Nest on December 17th. FC pulled out a close 60-54 victory.

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