SANTA ANA - For the second straight game, the Dons found themselves needing to come from behind only to have their rally fall short. This time, after trailing to Fullerton College (13-5, 2-1) by as many as 14 points, the Dons (6-12, 0-2) lost 72-69.

The visiting Hornets found themselves up by as many as 13 just 10 minutes into the first half at 23-10 before the Dons began chipping away at the lead. Vanessa Ramirez hit a three-pointer before back-to-back two-pointers by Kylie Rodriguez and Ramirez to pull the Dons within six.

After Noelle Cobb made a layup for Fullerton, Rachel Cain buried back-to-back three-pointers to get the Dons within two at 25-23. The Hornets would eventually take a 34-30 lead into halftime.

It took Fullerton just under seven minutes into the second half to extend its lead to 14, its largest of the game, at 53-39. The Hornets wouldn't allow the Dons to get closer than eight points for the next nine minutes before Rodriguez hit a layup at 4:02 to cut Fullerton's lead to 61-55.

Finally, in the last minute of the game, the Dons were able to take advantage of a steal and three missed three-pointers to have a chance at a game-tying shot. Down 72-69, the Dons got the ball back with 11 seconds but were unable to get a shot attempt.

Rodriguez led the Dons with 17 points followed by Cain with 15 points. Jocelyn Calvillo joined them in double-digit scoring with 11 points. Fullerton was led by Emilee Dy with 18 points while Michelle Okoroike added 15 points, Cobb added 12 points and Kelli Calton scored 11 points.