Extra Incentives Are No Boost for the Titans

FULLERTON —  Cal State Fullerton had plenty to play for Saturday night against Utah State. The Titans were playing to stay alive for a berth in the Big West Conference tournament and it was senior Chuck Overton’s last home game.

The added incentive might have helped the Titans’ effort, but it didn’t help their shooting or size disadvantage. Fullerton shot only 42% and was outrebounded by 23 in a 66-53 loss to Utah State. The loss eliminated the Titans from a spot in the Big West’s postseason tournament. The top six teams qualify for the tournament.

“It’s kind of sad, and disappointing,” said Overton, who scored a team-high 18 points on seven-of-17 shooting. “I love this team. I just wish I could have won the game for me and for the team.”

Fullerton (6-18, 5-11) trailed, 41-33, early in the second half, but cut the lead to two on two consecutive three-pointers by sophomore guard Chris Dade, who also made a three-pointer earlier in the half. But Dade stopped shooting and Fullerton stopped scoring.

Utah State (15-13, 9-7) extended the lead to 57-43 with a 12-0 run led by guard Justin Jones’ six points and center Eric Franson’s four points.

“They started shading him and he didn’t get his touches,” Fullerton Coach Bob Hawking said.

Said Dade: “I just wasn’t getting the ball in the right spots, and when I got it, I wasn’t ready to shoot it. I didn’t want to take all the shots anyway. It was Chuck’s night and I wanted to get him the ball.”

But Overton and his teammates had a hard time getting the ball all night. The Titans were outrebounded in the first half, 22-10, and 41-18 for the game. Utah State started a front line of Franson (6 feet 8), Silas Mills (6-7) and Jon Wickizer (6-8). Fullerton started Overton (6-3), Drik Rassloff (6-9) and DeVaughn Wright (6-6).

The Utah State trio outscored Fullerton’s trio, 35-30, and outrebounded them 19-8.

John Williams (6-5) did not start because of a dislocated toe, and he played an ineffective 16 minutes--scoring two points and grabbing one rebound.

“We had basically two post players,” Hawking said. “It’s hard to play at this level when you have two post guys.

“It’s really difficult when you’re giving away that many second chances and you’re not getting any yourself on the offensive end.”

As poorly as they shot in the first half (40%) and rebounded, the Titans were fortunate to be tied, 27-27, after the first half. Utah State helped out the Titans with 11 turnovers and making only one of seven three-pointers.

Fullerton made one last run when it cut a 57-45 lead to 59-53 with 2:26 left. Rassloff made a layup, Ali Nayab hit a three-pointer and Overton hit a driving layup, made one of two free throws and a reverse layup.

But Utah State made seven of nine free throws down the stretch and rebounded the two it missed to keep the ball from Fullerton. Utah State moves into a tie for third place with Nevada.

“This is our biggest win of the year,” Larry Eustachy said. “It’s a game we had a chance to win and you don’t get many opportunities to go on the road and win.

“If we win our last three games we have a chance to tie for the conference title and if we lost two of our last three we might not make the conference tournament. It’s a wacky league.”