WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: TIGERS TOO MUCH FOR HORNETS

In order to stay in the playoff hunt, Fullerton needed a win over OEC rival Riverside City College on Tuesday night, but the Hornets fell at home to the Tigers 78-58.

The loss knocks FC (6-7 OEC, 10-15 overall) out its fourth place tie with Santa Ana and a possible shot at a playoff sport. The RCC (10-3 OEC, 19-8 overall) win keeps them firmly in the playoff race at third place in the conference with Irvine Valley (12-2) and Cypress (12-2) in a tie for first place.

It was a tale of two halves for Fullerton, as they kept up with the Tigers in the first two quarters. They even took an early 10-5 lead in the first five minutes.  By halftime, Riverside held a slight 35-33 edge.

At the start of the second half, the Hornets fell behind quickly 39-33 on a layin by Adriana Garcia, and they never recovered. RCC went on to hold the lead extending it to their largest of 21 points with just minutes left in the game.

It was sophomore night for the Hornets and the FC coaching staff honored their lone sophomore in Melody Thomsen. She has been a true leader the last two seasons and did not disappoint tonight scoring a team-high 12 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 assists in her final game in the Hornets Nest. Lani Maehara chipped in with 10 points and Lyneya Turner put up 9 points.

The game was also dedicated to Cancer Awareness as the crowd wore pink in a great cause to fight cancer. This year's theme was "Run It Back- Never Give Up". Nearly $200.00 was donated to The Virginia K. Crosson Cancer Center in Orange County by folks at the games tonight. Thank you to all who donated for such a worthy cause!

Up Next: Fullerton (10-15, 6-7) will play their last game of the season on the road at Saddleback College this Thursday, February 15^th.  Tip off is at 5:00 pm.

*Photos by Phil Thurman