SECOND HALF EFFORT

Fullerton and Irvine Valley battled it out in an Orange Empire Conference matchup with the Hornets coming out on top 60-54.

The win gives FC a 12-1 overall record and puts the team at 2-0 in the OEC, while the Laser loss bumps them to 7-4 overall and 0-1 in conference-play.

The Lasers came in to the contest sporting the best defense in the OEC holding teams to 53.1 points a game, and it showed in the first half. IVC came out like gangbusters with an early 7-0 lead, and by the 11-minute mark pushed it to 10-2. Fullerton slowly chipped away at the Laser lead tying the game up at 17 apiece on free throw by Tristan Williams by 5:16. Irvine did not let up going on a 9-2 run to end the half at 26-19.

Fullerton came into the second half looking like a different team. Making another comeback, the Hornets tied the game up again at 35-35 on a pair of Javon Jones free throws. It was Fullerton's turn to make a run. A couple of three-pointers by Kobe Newton kicked FC into to gear as they took a 45-35 lead that was capped off by Gaven Ramirez's second chance tip-in. Fullerton kept the IVC defense guessing taking its biggest lead of 11 with 2 minutes left in the game at 53-42. From there, the timeout, foul, and free throw carousel began. Kobe Newton, Javon Jones, and Sean Newman Jr. all hit their respective shots from the line holding on for the victory.

Newton led all scorers with 18 points, while Chazz Hutchison tallied 12 of his own. Javon Jones scored 9 points with 5 rebounds, and Sean Newman Jr.  dropped in 8 with 7 rebounds.

Up Next: The Hornets (12-1 overall, 2-0 OEC) will not play again until Thursday, December 30th when they host Ventura College. Tip off is at 5:00 pm.

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