COMMUNITY COLLEGE ROUNDUP : Cypress’ Late Misfires Allow Fullerton to Win on Road

Fullerton’s Fabian Luna had a steal and a lay-up with 18 seconds left to give Fullerton its first lead of the game and the Hornets went on to defeat Cypress, 72-68, Wednesday at Cypress in the Orange Empire Conference men’s basketball opener for both teams.

Cypress lead by as many as 11 in the second half, 49-38, but Fullerton rallied behind sophomore forward Bob Terry. He had a game-high 26 points, including 15 of his team’s 17 points at one point in the second half.

Cypress also helped Fullerton by missing a pair of short shots in the final 30 seconds. Cypress’ Robbie Shelton broke through the middle of Fullerton’s defense, but missed a lay-in with 23 seconds left. Shelton fouled Terry trying to rebound his miss.

Terry missed the first free throw but made the second to tie it, 68-68.

Luna then stole a pass near mid-court and streaked to the basket for an easy lay-up and a 70-68 Fullerton lead.

Cypress still had a chance to tie when forward Tim Tillman was fouled with five seconds left. Tillman missed both free throws and teammate David Boyle got the rebound, only to miss a one-footer with three seconds left.

Fullerton’s Rod Summers got the rebound, was fouled and made both free throws for the final score.

“Our defense won the game,” Fullerton Coach Roger See said.

Greg Bedford and Mark Perry each scored 10 points for Fullerton (9-7, 1-0). Sam Sabbara and Boyle had 14 each for Cypress (13-6, 0-1).

In other Orange Empire Conference games:

Orange Coast 61, Saddleback 55--Host Orange Coast trailed by as many as 13 in the second half, but went on a 15-0 run to take a 58-51 lead with 2:37 left. Michael Wenzlaff scored 13 of his 18 points in the second half for OCC (9-9, 1-0). He also had three of his four three-point shots in the second half.

Jeff Porter added 16 points and 12 rebounds and Agustin Heredia had 11 points and eight assists for OCC. Ray Ankton had 24 points for Saddleback (9-8, 0-1), which had its six-game winning streak stopped.

Rancho Santiago 79, Riverside 75--Ruben Oronoz scored 17 points and Glenn Greene added 16 as Rancho Santiago (13-6, 1-0) won at Riverside. Rancho Santiago opened a 39-23 lead at the half.

In Orange Empire Conference women’s basketball:

Saddleback 80, Orange Coast 67--Erin Schimeneck scored 18 points and had a team-high 10 rebounds for host Saddleback (18-3, 1-0). OCC is 13-7, 0-1.

Fullerton 70, Cypress 51--Monique Grace scored 16 for host Fullerton (8-8, 1-0). Cypress is 6-11, 0-1.