BIG WEST CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONSHIP:

ANAHEIM — March remains Lack of History Month for the UC Irvine men’s basketball team, but the 2007-08 team’s run to the program’s first Big West Conference title game since 1994 certainly added some substantial memories.

In the end, however, four games in four days and a Cal State Fullerton squad equally hungry to dance with the NCAA elite, proved too much to overcome for Coach Pat Douglass’ Anteaters.

The No. 3-seeded Titans (24-8), who earned their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1978, compiled an 81-66 victory over the No. 5-seeded Anteaters (18-16) led by 23 points from junior Washington State transfer Josh Akognon and 22 more from senior Scott Cutley.

The Anteaters, who had won seven of their previous eight coming in, appeared to fade, both under the rigors of the schedule, and the quick, determined and physical defense played by the only Big West team UCI had failed to beat this season.

Titans seniors Cutley (6-foot-5, 235 pounds) and Marcus Morgan (6-5, 240) banged on UCI senior center Darren Fells (6-5, but probably 10 pounds lighter than his listed weight of 255) enough to not only contest, but deny most of his post repertoire.

In addition, UCI senior Patrick Sanders, the Anteaters’ lone first-team all-conference performer, was, once again, betrayed by a shooting touch that abandoned him in the last three tournament games.

After hitting seven of his 14 field-goal tries on his way to 18 points in a first-round triumph over Long Beach State, Sanders was six for 30 the remainder of the tournament (20%). He missed all three of his first-half field-goal tries Saturday, two of which from three-point range came up short, a sign of fatigued legs. Of his 11 second-half field-goal tries, he missed eight more, half of which were short, including three from beyond the arc.

Cutley, the Big West Co-Player of the Year, had 13 points after halftime and finished with 12 rebounds. He was eight of 13 from the field to help the Titans finish 29 of 55 for the game (52.7%).

Fells, whose iron will and talents were big reasons behind his team’s extended postseason run, battled to the end. He finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds to close out a distinguished career in which he started all four seasons.

“Obviously, [the Titans] are a very talented, well coached team playing exceptional basketball this time of year,” Douglass said. “My seniors gutted it out for four years and they did everything they could tonight. It’s just that [The Titans] are a load. I was proud of our effort and how [my players] represented the university. We would have liked to have come out on top, but we have a lot of respect for the way Fullerton played.”

Akognon, who once scored 26 points in a half against UCLA at Pauley Pavilion, had 15 by intermission against the ’Eaters, draining half of his 10 field-goal tries, including two three-pointers, and netting all three of his free throws, after UCI fouled him with three seconds left in the half.

UCI sophomore guard Michael Hunter answered with a buzzer-beating three-pointer to pull the designated visitors within 37-27.

But by then, the Titans had made 14 of 26 from the field (53.8%), while allowing UCI to connect on just nine of 26 for 34.6%.

The Titans also earned a 19-11 rebounding advantage in the first 20 minutes.

Fells, who made the six-player all-tournament team, managed seven points by intermission, sharing team-high honors at that point with senior guard Marcus McIntosh.

But with Sanders producing just two points, on foul shots, and the UCI bench adding a mere two points in the first half, it wasn’t enough to dissuade the Titans that they would continue to hold UCI’s number this season.

Hunter finished with 14, while Sanders wound up with 11.

McIntosh added five rebounds to the cause, that was also rendered futile by the Titans’ offensive balance.

Senior Frank Robinson added 12 points, while Marcus Morgan chipped in 10 and Ray Reed had nine.

UCI cut the deficit to nine on a Fells three-pointer with 18:02 left in the game. And a Sanders 15-foot jumper with 8:36 trimmed the deficit to 55-46, igniting a huge surge from the UCI rooters in the crowd of 4,234.

But Akognon, the tournament MVP, countered with a three-pointer 16 seconds later and Fullerton led by double figures the rest of the way.

Cutley and Robinson were also all-tournament picks.

“I thought the fatigue in their legs showed in their shooting, but I don’t want to take anything away from what we did, defensively,” Burton said.

Sanders said he would not use fatigue as an excuse.

Fells said he was proud of what his team accomplished and that he had more fun this past week than he ever has playing basketball.

Fells completes his career with 1,252 points (No. 10 in UCI annals). He is No. 3 in rebounding (780) and No. 7 in career steals (103).

Big West Conference Tournament

Final

Cal State Fullerton 81, UC Irvine 66

UCI – Sanders 11, Fells 21, Rembert 4, McIntosh 9, Hunter 14, Lauer 5, Bland 2.

3-pt. goals – Hunter 2, Sanders 1, Fells 1, McIntosh 1, Lauer 1.

Fouled out – None.

Technicals – None.

CSF – Robinson 12, Morgan 10, Cutley 22, Akognon 23, Reed 9, Crenshaw 3, Lassiter 2.

3-pt. goals – Akognon 4, Crenshaw 1, Robinson 1.

Fouled out – None.

Technicals – None.

Halftime – CSF, 37-27.

BARRY FAULKNER may be reached at (714) 966-4615 or at barry.faulkner@latimes.com.