Knights Edge Fullerton, 63-61, to Advance to Sweet 16

San Diego City (25-5) shot only 30% percent in Saturday's second round playoff at Fullerton (22-6), but the Knights took advantage of the Hornets' 21 turnovers and escaped with a 63-61 victory to advance to a Southern California regional final on March 7 at Los Angeles Valley. Dominic Hovasse scored a game-high 24 points to go with four rebounds, three steals, and a block. 

Although the Knights shot poorly from the floor, they did make 22-of-29 (75.9%) from the free throw line and they took care of the ball, committing a season-low eight turnovers. They have only turned the ball over a total of 17 times in the two playoff games so far this season. 

The Knights missed nine of their first 10 shots as Fullerton jumped out to an 11-2 lead six minutes into the game. City finally got some shots to fall and went on a 15-4 run to grab a 17-15 lead. The Knights later scored the final four points of the half and went into the locker room holding a 29-25 advantage. 

The game remained tight throughout the second half as is customary when these two teams meet. There were a total of six ties and nine lead changes in the game, seven of which came in the second half. 

Fullerton took a 43-42 lead on a 3-pointer from Ronnie Stapp (10 points), but a Hovasse steal and layup put the Knights on top, 44-43, with 10:35 remaining. It was the start of a 6-0 run for the Knights as they grabbed their biggest lead (48-43) up to that point. 

Hornets' guard Devin Howlin, who led his team with 20 points, hit one of his four 3-pointers with 4:28 left in the game to cut City's lead down to 52-50. 

The Knights responded with an 8-2 run to take their largest lead of the game, 60-52, with 2:24 remaining.

Howlin then scored seven straight points for Fullerton, including another 3 with 26.9 seconds left that got the Hornets within two (61-59).

NaShom Carter made 1-of-2 at the free throw line to give the Knights a 3-point cushion with 19 seconds on the clock.

Fullerton had the ball with a chance to tie, but City defended the 3-point line well and Omajae Smith's only option was a layup with two seconds left. 

After a free throw by Isaac Davis to put the Knights ahead by two points with 0.3 showing on the clock, Fullerton tried to get a tip-in off a full-court pass, but it was deflected out of bounds and the Knights celebrated their seventh consecutive win that put them in the sweet sixteen for the third time in the last four years.

Victor Irhirhi gave the Knights 12 points and six rebounds, while Kai Huntsberry added 11 points and five rebounds.

The Knights scored 16 points off Fullerton's 21 turnovers. Fullerton shot 50% from the floor but had 18 less shots than the Knights who had a 14-3 edge on offenive rebounds. 

Three of the last five meetings between the Knights and Fullerton have been decided by two points or less, including the 2017 state championship game which the Knights won 53-51.

The No. 11-seeded Knights will be on the road again at No. 3 Los Angeles Valley (24-5) on Saturday, March 7 at 7 p.m. in a Southern California regional final. The winner will move on to the state championship quarterfinals, which will be held at West Hills College Lemoore on March 13.