Fullerton Rolls Over Long Beach

Cal State Fullerton’s Titans, even though they are struggling through the season, considered it an insult that Cal State Long Beach was favored to beat them Saturday night.

So the Titans channeled their anger into an impressive 75-58 victory before 1,670 at the 49er gym.

“I don’t know what the odds were--I don’t understand betting--but the bookies, or whatever you call those guys, had picked them to win,” Fullerton Coach George McQuarn said. “We talked about that before the game, and our kids were irate about it.”

So the Titans went out, got physical and fanatical, and made the night miserable for the 49ers.

Long Beach shot a hard-to-believe 18% in the first half, hitting 4 of 22 shots, but both coaches said Fullerton’s swarming defense was mainly responsible.

“Our kids played with tremendous intensity,” McQuarn said. “They played great defense.”

Long Beach Coach Ron Palmer agreed.

“That was the most active defense we’ve seen this season,” Palmer said. “Our team learned what intensity was tonight.”

Kerry Boagni’s shooting and the rugged inside play of Henry Turner and Herman Webster helped Fullerton get off to a 20-7 lead, and they continued as the main offensive factors the rest of the game.

Boagni, who made three three-point shots, scored 19 points. Turner had 16 and Webster 12.

The Titans led, 36-16, at halftime, increased their advantage to 25, and Long Beach never came closer than the final score as both teams spent most of the time watching each other shoot free throws. There were 71 foul shots attempted.

The victory snapped a three-game losing streak for Fullerton, which is now 11-11 overall and 4-6 in the Pacific Coast Athletic Assn.

The 49ers (5-16 and 1-9) lost their fifth game in a row.