HOLD THAT TIGER

The No. 20 FC women's basketball squad hit the road on Wednesday night to open Orange Empire Conference-play against Riverside City College and took down the Tigers 70-56.

Fullerton's win gives the team its first in the OEC with an overall record of 13-4, while the Tigers bump down to 9-8 overall with a 0-1 OEC record. 

The first quarter was tightly contested as both teams matching one another shot for shot. With the game tied up 14 all with 30 seconds left in the quarter, Haley Lakey knocked down a jump shot giving the Hornets a 16-14 lead.

Opening the second quarter, Xochitl Hood drained a jumper, Amya Iannone came through with a layup, and Erin Choi laid the ball in, and Brittlay Carillo also drove the lane for a layup giving Fullerton a 24-14 lead. The Hornets finished off the first half with a 35-28 advantage.

It was all Fullerton in the second half as the team played tough defense forcing 9 turnovers, while holding the Tigers scoreless (0-9) from beyond the arc. Forcing their largest lead of 15 with three minutes left, the Hornets pushed forward for their first OEC win. 

There were five Hornets that scored in double-digits in Hailey Lakey (14 points/12 rebounds) Xochitl Hood (14 points/10 rebounds), Brittlay Carillo (13 points/3 rebounds), Erin Choi (12 points/5 assists/5 steals), and Kaylee Shimoda (11 points).

Up Next: The Hornets (13-4, 1-0 OEC) head back out on the road Wednesday, January 15th when they take on Saddleback College for another conference matchup. Tipoff is at 5:00 pm. 

*Photo by Matt Brown