FULLERTON, Calif. (Interstat) — The Fullerton Hornets used a dominant second-half performance and a decisive advantage at the free-throw line to overcome a hot-shooting start by the San Jose Jaguars and secure a 74-63 victory in a men’s junior college basketball game Friday night.

The game turned on a dramatic shift after halftime. San Jose, which led 63-61 at the break after a blistering first-half offensive display, was held to just 31 points in the second half. Conversely, Fullerton’s offense found its rhythm, exploding for 43 points after intermission to pull away.

The most critical factor in the Hornets’ comeback was their performance at the charity stripe. Fullerton attempted 28 free throws, making 24, while San Jose went to the line only 11 times, converting six. This 18-point disparity proved insurmountable for the Jaguars, who also committed 20 personal fouls to Fullerton’s 14.

San Jose built its early lead on efficient perimeter shooting, connecting on 7 of 14 attempts from three-point range in the game. Muhammad Singleton led the Jaguars with 18 points, including a trio of three-pointers, while Jeremiah Butler added 12 points. Taj Royster contributed 11 points and nine rebounds.

Fullerton’s offense was paced by Yoda Oke, who recorded a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Brayden Smith added 18 points and Donovan Pitts scored 16, with both players contributing to a stifling defensive effort that included eight team blocks. The Hornets’ defense tightened significantly in the second half, forcing San Jose into a less efficient offensive rating of 83.7 points per 100 possessions for the game, compared to their own mark of 106.8.

Despite being outshot from the floor — Fullerton made 24 of 49 field goals to San Jose’s 25 of 59 — the Hornets controlled the glass with 34 total rebounds to the Jaguars’ 29 and capitalized on their opportunities at the line. The victory improved Fullerton’s season record to 29 wins and 1 loss, while San Jose fell to 24 wins and 7 losses.

The game’s most important sequence was Fullerton’s sustained second-half surge, which transformed a narrow halftime deficit into a comfortable victory, fueled by defensive pressure and relentless attacks that drew fouls and generated easy points from the free-throw line.