DARK HORSE HORNETS ADVANCE TO ROUND 3 OF SOCAL REGIONALS

No. 23 Fullerton College continued its postseason run on Saturday night knocking off No. 7 Mt. San Jacinto 55-52 on the road in the second round of the 3C2A Southern California Regional Playoffs.

Facing one of the top teams in the state, the Hornets relied on timely shooting, disciplined defense, and clutch free throws down the stretch to end the Eagle's season punching their ticket to Round 3. 

In the first quarter, the Hornets jumped out to a 17-6 lead that was a capped off by a layup by Jaylene Perez. By the end of the quarter, the Eagles began to fly pulling within seven at 19-12. 

FC ran into some trouble in the second quarter as Mt. San Jacinto grabbed a 25-23 lead. The Hornets clapped back in the third minute when Erin Choi dropped a trey giving her team a 31-25 advantage. By halftime, the Eagles pulled within three of the Hornets 35-32.

Fullerton owned the third quarter with a 47-40 lead thanks to a another big three by Choi.

Heading into the fourth with a 49-44 lead, the Hornets felt the pressure but never let go of the lead as the team made timely rebounds and hit big free throws down the stretch.

Fullerton shot just 35.6 percent from the floor (21-59), but made every possession count by knocking down needed perimeter shots and winning the possession battle. The Hornets connected on 45.5% from three-point range (5-11), which was a key factor in keeping pace with an Eagle team that struggled offensively all night shooting just 27.1% from the field and 23.8% from beyond the arc.

Erin Choi led the Hornets with a team-high 18 points along with 9 rebounds. Hailey Lakey chipped in 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists. Jaylene Perez added 12 points of her own and delivered one of the game's biggest moments late sinking two game-sealing free throws to extend FC's lead at 55-50.

The Hornets also controlled the glass out-rebounding Mt. San Jacinto 45-37, including strong efforts from Savannah Hernandez with 10 rebounds.

With the win, Fullerton moves just one victory away from the 3C2A State Championship Tournament. It marks the program's first trip to the third round of the playoffs since the 2011 postseason under Hall of Fame coach Debi Woelke, whose 2009-10 squad finished as the state runner-up.

Up Next: The No. 23 Hornets (15-15 overall) will play in the third and final round of the SoCal Regionals this Saturday traveling to familiar territory to face OEC rival No. 2 Irvine Valley College. Tipoff is tentatively scheduled for 7:00 pm.

*Photo by Jayden Babineau