Cypress Takes Fullerton Into OT, but, as Has Been Case Lately, Hornets Win, 64-56

Cypress College had not one, not two but three shots in the final seconds of regulation Saturday night to win its South Coast Conference game against host Fullerton College.

But all three shots--by Ron Bailey, Greg Marusich and John Berwick--missed, leaving the score tied, 48-48.

At that point, Fullerton Coach Roger See began to relax. Sure, the five-minute overtime period was still to be played, but See’s Hornets are at their best in overtime.

They proved that again Saturday, outscoring Cypress, 16-8, in overtime en route to a 64-56 win before a crowd of 700.

For the Hornets (8-3 in conference, 14-10 overall), it was their fifth overtime win of the season and third in as many games.

After a close first half in which the lead was exchanged 12 times, Fullerton took an eight-point advantage at 33-25 with 16:57 remaining and seemed on the verge of a runaway.

But if Cypress (5-5, 11-9) isn’t as talented a team as it has been in the past, it is still an exceedingly patient one.

A 20-foot jump shot by Berwick cut Fullerton’s lead to 42-41 with 6:46 left, and then a steal and dunk by Marusich gave Cypress the lead for the first time since late in the first half at 43-42 with 5:31 remaining.

The Hornets made a comeback of their own to take a 48-45 lead with 3:08 to play, but then squandered it among a rash of turnovers.

Cypress scored the first four points in overtime for a quick 54-48 lead, but after that it was all Fullerton, led by Todd Trueman. He made a 25-foot jump shot to tie the score at 52-52, and then seconds later, made the play of the game.

The former La Habra High School star knocked down a Cypress pass and dove on the floor to get the loose ball. After wresting the ball away from a couple of Cypress players, Trueman, from the floor, somehow passed the ball to teammate Jim Smith. Smith, in turn, got the ball to Rollins for a key, three-point play to make it 55-52, and Fullerton was on its way to victory. CYPRESS (56)--Bailey 9, Martineau 2, Horn 8, Berwick 17, Marusich 10, Swanner 4, Umans 6.

FULLERTON (64)--Smith 16, Trueman 8, Long 5, Samuelson 10, Rollins 13, Pratt 5, Haymond 7.

Halftime-- Fullerton 24-22

Regulation--Tied 48-48

In other South Coast conference action:

Orange Coast 71, Saddleback 62--The Gauchos (4-7, 14-11) led all the way until 9:21 in the second half when Shaughn Ryan hit a jumper to give the Pirates (5-6, 14-11) a 48-46 lead.

ORANGE COAST (71)--Ryan 17, Johnston 13, Goudge 14, Toomey 4, Farmer 16, Morton 4, Drake 3.

SADDLEBACK (62)--Hamilton 12, Dawson 8, Mulder 6, Thomas 11, Cornly 17, Carr 2, Sullivan 6.

Halftime--Saddleback, 30-29.

Mt. SAC 74, Santa Ana 53--The Dons (2-8) made only 38% of their shots from the field while Mt. SAC (10-1) shot 66% in the game played at Santa Ana.

MT. SAC (74)--Tarkanian 6, Ramirez 7, Richard 19, Bailey 10, Leonard 13, Bragg 12, Frazier 1, Gardner 2, Terich 2, Jenkins 2.

SANTA ANA (53)--Streavel 4, Hughes 16, Warner 17, Escobedo 4, Shaw 4, Hata 2, Prang 2, Kemph 4.

Cerritos 73, Golden West 66--The Falcons (10-1, 19-4) took a 13-11 lead with 11 minutes left in the first half and never relinquished it in the game at Golden West. The Rustlers (0-11, 7-17) pulled within one point with six minutes to play in the game.

CERRITOS (73)--Wadlington 4, Coleman 12, Yezbak 9, Heicke 8, Guy 16, Strachan 12, Collins 2, Andrews 8, Buell 2.

GOLDEN WEST (66)--Love 20, Bruce 25, Debbs 10, Mann 4, Rasmussen 2, Jeffers 5.

Halftime--Cerritos, 33-28