MEN'S BASKETBALL: HORNETS END CUESTA'S SEASON

In the first round of the Southern California Regionals, the #6 Hornets avenged an early season loss and ended #11 Cuesta College's season in the Hornets Nest Friday night by beating the Cougars 76-68.

The win moves Fullerton College into the SoCal Regional Semi-Finals for the first time since the 2007-08 season. The FC win also avenges a loss to the Cougars back on November 7th.

Cuesta took an early 6-5 lead over Fullerton at the 13:32 mark, but the Hornets quickly flipped the scoreboard taking a 16-6 lead at 10:36. After a Cuesta timeout, the Cougars came back within three points at 9:47. With 53 seconds to go in the half, Cuesta had a one-point (30-29) lead, but FC's Ian Fox was fouled while successfully making a layup, and then hit the and-one shot. After a Cougar turnover, Adam Johnson made a layup putting the Hornets up 34-30 by the end of the half.

The second half remained close with both teams hitting their shots. Cuesta managed a 57-54 lead, with 6:53 left in the game, on a three-point shot by Rafail Eleftheriou.

Fullerton answered right back with a three-pointer by Julian Richardson (57-57). From there, FC went on to score seven unanswered points going up 64-57 and never let go of the lead.

The game was a back-and-forth match that featured 6 ties and 11 lead changes.

Cuesta out-rebounded FC 41-27, but turned the ball over 17 times to the Hornet's 7 (12-4 points off of turnovers).

Richardson had a good night scoring a game-high 25 points and had 4 assists. Fox put up 16 points with 3 assists and 3 steals. Kenny Barnes scored 15 points and had 5 rebounds. Isaiah Clark contributed 7 points and boards.

At halftime, the Athletic Department recognized the division secretaries Anita Ward and Linda Aponte for their combined sixty-years of exceptional service. They are invaluable in what they do for the department and were deservingly honored. Aponte will be retiring after the spring semester, and she will be greatly missed.

Up Next: The Hornets (22-7 overall) will play at #3 Chaffey College (22-6) in the SoCal Regional Semi-Finals on Wednesday, March 2nd at 7:00 pm.

WATCH RICHARSON'S EARLY THREE-POINTER HERE

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