MEN'S BASKETBALL: BEATING TWO UNDEFEATED TEAMS

The No. 4 Hornets (5-1 overall) had a busy Thanksgiving break knocking off two ranked teams in No. 9 Mt. San Jacinto and No. 16 Cerritos. 

On Wednesday night, FC picked the Eagles apart on the road 81-74. It is never easy playing in front of the Code Red fans, but the Hornets hit some key shots down the stretch giving Mt. San Jacinto their first loss of the season.

FC began the game ice cold as the Eagles went up 7-0, but the Hornets went up 12-11 at 13:45. The rest of the half was a battle as both teams exchanged shots keeping it close. When the first half dust settled, both teams went to their locker rooms tied at 36.

The battle continued well into the second half, until the Eagles jumped ahead with their largest lead of eight at 46-38 (17:14). FC had their work cut out for them, and they did not let up as they swung the game in their favor going on a huge 12-0 run. Jailen Moore hit a three-pointer putting the Hornets up 50-46 at 15:47, and the Hornets did not let go of the lead.

FC's Jailen Moore came off the bench to score a game-high 19 points. Ezekiel Alley scored 16 points, while Lance Coleman II and Rodrick McCobb both put up 12 points. Vaj Rice scored 11 and brought down 9 boards.

On Saturday, Fullerton handed Cerritos their first loss of the season 69-61. It was a good home-win for the Hornets, who have now won three straight. 

Both teams began the game neck-and-neck matching one another shot for shot, but Cerritos pulled away at the 6-minute mark 26-16. Fullerton pulled themselves out of the hole going on an 11-2 run to pull within one (28-27) with just over three minutes left in the first half. By halftime, the Falcons had pulled ahead 36-29.

In the second half, Cerritos maintained their lead over Fullerton grabbing a 42-33 lead at just over the 14-minute mark. The Hornets, once again, went on another run (9-1) to take the lead 43-42. The game was tight for the next ten minutes with both teams exchanging shots, until Lance Coleman II hit a three-pointer that put FC up 62-58. From there, the Hornet defense put the Falcons in a strangle-hold allowing only 3 points in the last 4 minutes of the game to win it.

Jailen Moore did it again scoring 19 off the bench to lead the Hornets just as he did against Mt. San Jacinto College. He was 5 of 8 from downtown. Lance Coleman II dropped in 13 points with 7 rebounds, and Ezekiel Alley scored 12 with 8 assists. Omajae Smith had 10 points along with 7 rebounds.

Up Next: The Hornets (5-1 overall) will play this Friday at 7:00 pm against Victor Valley in the Citrus College Invitational.

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