Top-seeded Fullerton College heads back to state tourney after 67-64 win over Southwestern

Fullerton College players, coaches and supporters celebrate after Saturday’s victory (Photo courtesy Fullerton College athletics).

The No. 1 seed in the south Fullerton College Hornets came out on top Saturday night and are now heading to the CCCAA State Championships after knocking off No. 7 Southwestern College 67-64.

Ending the Pacific Coast Conference champ’s season, Fullerton now advances to the state dance for the second time in four seasons under the leadership of Coach Perry Webster.

The No. 1 Hornets (27-3 overall) are headed to the CCCAA State Tournament where four teams from the Southern Region will join four teams from the North at Ventura College March 14-17.

The Hornets dropped in the game’s first bucket (layup by Omajae Smith), but the Jaguars came out raining three pointers (7 for 11 in the first half) taking a 12-point lead by the 12-minute mark at 21-9.

FC climbed out of it going a 15-2 run taking a 24-23 lead by 7:40 thanks to a put back by Ronne Readus. Both teams continued to battle it out for the rest of the half, and by the time the dust cleared the halftime buzzer sounded to a 31-31 tie.

The shootout continued for the first eight minutes of the second half, until the Hornets made their move.

With the game tied 48-48 Fullerton went on an 11-1 run to take a 10 point advantage over the Jaguars (59-49) that was topped off by a Dylan Banks layup. Southwestern did not fold after taking FC’s best shot as they got back in the game with a run of their own (9-2) cutting Fullerton’s lead down to three points (61-58) with a 1:08 left in the game.

Lance Coleman II hit a jumper to give the FC some breathing room at 63-59, but SWC’s Nathaniel Pearson answered back with a layup. The Jaguars put a scare into Hornet fans with four seconds left in regulation when Tyler Simmons hit a deep three from the top of the key bringing Southwestern within one point (65-64), but a pair of free throws by Banks eased the pain. The Jaguars tried to get off one more three to send the game into overtime, but the Hornets forced a turnover ending that notion.

Omajae Smith had a big night leading all scorers with 15 points. He also added 6 rebounds. Ronne Readus had another double-double game scoring 13 points with 12 rebounds. Dylan Banks put up 13 points with 5 steals, and Rodrick McCobb nearly had a double-double dropping in 10 points with nine rebounds. Lance Coleman II hit some critical shots down the stretch scoring 8 points with 6 rebounds.

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