Titans Better in the Battle of the Worst

Cal State Fullerton was picked in the preseason as the worst basketball team in the Big West this year, but San Jose State clearly has been playing like it.

When the two met Thursday night at the Civic Auditorium, however, it was hard to tell the difference for a while.

But the Titans summoned just enough firepower in the second half to emerge with a 69-60 victory.

That left the Spartans (1-13) winless in six Big West games. Fullerton (5-9) climbed to 3-3 in the conference, and Coach Bob Hawking was just happy to get a third Big West victory on the road.

“We’re road warriors,” Hawking said, smiling.

Reserve guard Chris St. Clair scored 17 points, tying his career high, and center Winston Peterson had 16. Guard James French was solid as the Titan playmaker down the stretch and finished with 12 points, all in the second half.

The Titans went up by nine points early in the second half before the Spartans surged to go ahead, 52-46, with 5:11 remaining. But St. Clair connected on two three-point shots and David Frigout hit a layup to put the Titans on top, 54-53. Fullerton never trailed again.