ORANGE EMPIRE CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS!

For the third consecutive season, the Fullerton College men's basketball team wins the Orange Empire Conference championship after defeating Irvine Valley College 76-47 at home Tuesday night.

The win over IVC (16-9 overall, 7-6 OEC) gives the Hornets an overall record of 22-4 and an OEC record of 13-1, which mathematically guarantees the Hornets at least a share of the OEC title. All Fullerton must do now is win one out of its next two conference games, and they win the Orange Empire Conference outright with second-place Santiago Canyon College waiting in the wings with three conference losses.

The conference three-peat is a first under head coach Perry Webster, who has now won five conference titles in eight seasons since taking over the program prior in 2015. The last time FC won three or more consecutive conference titles was in the mid-twentieth century. Under head coach Alex Omalev, the Hornets won six straight titles from 1949 to 1955.

Fullerton's victory also marks the 200th for Head Coach Perry Webster, who becomes the 4th coach in Hornet history to reach 200 wins and is the fastest to reach the mark in 8 seasons.

200th win - Art Nunn 15 seasons – January 23, 1949 at Chaffey – 47-37

200th win - Alex Omalev 9 seasons (1949-1958) -  January 14, 1958 at Chaffey – 70-58

200th win - Roger See 12 seasons – December 30, 1992 at Palomar – 89-84

As for the game, the Hornets came out running and gunning with an 18-3 lead that was highlighted by a hard dunk by Christian Watson. The Lasers did not pose much of a threat on offense hitting only 28% from the floor as Fullerton ended the first half with a 37-18 advantage. 

FC made quick work of Irvine Valley in the second half hitting 52% of its shots for a 33-point lead by the 12:45 mark. Jayden Byers' three-pointer handed FC a 59-26 lead as the team ran away with the game earning the program's 32nd conference title.

Four Hornet players scored in double-digits with JQ Strong leading the swarm with 16 points and four rebounds. Shawn Woodson (6 rebounds) had 13 and Christian Watson (6 rebounds/4 assists) also had 13. Jaden Byers add 12 points, and Amound Anderson chipped in with 8 points with 7 rebounds and 4 assists. 

Up Next: The No. 3 in state Hornets (22-4 overall, 13-1 OEC) will head back on the road this Thursday, February 15th when the team takes on Saddleback College at 5:00 pm.