Defense Enables Fullerton to Rally and Defeat Pacific

Cal State Fullerton, virtually defenseless during a four-game losing streak, held Pacific scoreless for a 7-minute 20-second stretch of the second half Thursday night and defeated the Tigers, 77-74, in a Big West Conference game played before 1,626 in Titan Gym.

Fullerton trailed, 61-50, with 13 minutes remaining after Pacific scored eight consecutive points, but the Titans’ half-court trap and intense man-to-man defense caused numerous turnovers and disrupted the Tigers’ offense for the rest of the half.

Pacific guard Dell Demps hit a three-pointer with 9:50 to go for a 65-57 lead, but the Tigers didn’t score again until Demps’ two free throws with 2:30 left.

Pacific turned the ball over 21 times in the game, 14 in the second half. Titan point guard Wayne Williams led the defensive surge with five steals, and Joe Small, who led all scorers with 19 points, had two steals.

Fullerton, whose opponents have shot 54% from the field in the last four games, scored 12 consecutive points, five by reserve forward J.D. Green, to take a 69-65 lead.

A three-point shot by Pacific’s Anthony Woods made it 76-74 with three seconds left, and then Small added a free throw.

Demps scored 16 to lead Pacific (10-11, 6-6). Fullerton is 12-9 and 5-7.