Community College Basketball Roundup : Fullerton Rally Defeats Cypress, 64-61

Darrin Queen scored 16 points to lead Fullerton College to a 64-61 victory over Cypress in the first round of the Cypress Thoroughbred men’s basketball tournament Wednesday at Cypress.

Fullerton (8-3) came back from an 11-point halftime deficit and went ahead, 59-56, on a four-point possession with 4:06 to play.

Cypress (10-3) was called for a technical foul when Fullerton’s Kevin Jones and Cypress’ Kris Brodowski started swinging at each other after a struggle for a rebound.

Cypress Coach Don Johnson then went onto the court and stepped between the players.

But because some Cypress players on the bench followed Johnson onto the court, the Cypress beach was called for a technical foul.

Queen made both free throws to give Fullerton a 57-56 lead. Fullerton maintained possession because of the technical foul. Queen was fouled while shooting and made both free throws to give Fullerton a 59-56 lead.

Fullerton controlled the game the rest of the way.

Jones scored four points in the final 1:30 as Fullerton increased the lead to 64-58 with 49 seconds left.

Karl Becker gave Cypress a chance, though, hitting a three-point basket with 30 seconds left to cut the lead to 64-61.

Cypress fouled Jones, but he missed the front end of a one-and-one and Cypress got the rebound with eight seconds left. But Becker’s three-point attempt fell short as time ran out.

Becker led Cypress with 11 points. John Vranes and Brodowski scored 10 points.

Cypress’ Jeff Green, who has been averaging 16.1 points per game, was 1 for 9 from the field and finished with only 4 points.

Fullerton was led by Queen with 16. Troy Joseph had 15 and Jones 11.

Fullerton will play the winner of tonight’s game between Los Angeles Harbor and Westmont’s junior varsity at 6 p.m. Friday.

Cypress plays the loser of Los Angles Harbor/Westmont at 4 p.m. Friday.

In a nonconference women’s game:

Glendale 57, Saddleback 55 (OT)--A three-point basket by the Gauchos’ Michelle Smith with five seconds left in regulation forced overtime at Saddleback. Smith then stole the inbounds pass, but missed a layup at the buzzer that would have won the game for Saddleback (4-5).

Glendale (5-7) had a four-point lead in overtime and held on for the victory. Silvia Lopez had 19 points for Glendale.

Anna Harmon led the Gauchos with 19 points. Kelly Ann Wilson scored 13 for Saddleback.