Cypress, CA – The 19th ranked Cypress College men's basketball team (22-6, 9-3 OEC) pulled off the upset at home over the 9th ranked Fullerton Hornets (21-7, 9-3 OEC) 71-68. The Chargers finish the regular season tied with Fullerton for second place in the Orange Empire Conference.
Sophomore forward Jordan Fleck finished with a game-high 29 points on 10-of-19 shooting. Jeremy Wright had a complete game, netting 12 points, grabbing four rebounds, and collecting six assists all while holding Hornets guard Ian Fox to 1-of-11 shooting. Julian Richardson posted a double-double for Fullerton with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Kenny Barnes added 15 points on 7-of-10 shooting.
The teams traded baskets early before Richardson scored seven consecutive points to give the Hornets a nine point lead (24-15) with 9:00 remaining in the first half. The Chargers managed to put together a series of stops and regained some momentum when 6'11" center, Joshua Currenton, threw down a one-handed slam to spark a Cypress run. A late three pointer from Fleck made it a two-point game heading into the break, as the Hornets led 40-38.
Cypress came out flat in the second half as Barnes scored nine straight points for the Hornets, giving them a 51-41 lead with 14:32 remaining. However, the Hornets could not find an answer for Fleck as he continued to light up the Fullerton defense with mid-range jumpers. Clinging to a four point lead with 6:33 remaining, Fullerton's Kenny Barnes fouled out of the game, which proved to hurt the Hornets down the stretch.
Following a layup from Wright, Fleck knocked down a pair of pull-up jumpers and a three-pointer to give Cypress a 66-64 lead with just over two minutes left in the game. The Hornets regained the lead (68-67) after a layup from Isaiah Clark but two huge free throws from O'shae Williams gave the lead back to the Chargers. Cypress got another stop on defense and Wright knocked down two more at the line to earn the victory.
Cypress men's basketball wraps up the regular season with their best overall record since the '92-'93 Chargers coached by Don Johnson. Postseason scheduled will be announced on Monday, February 22.
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