Titans Get Another Chance in Opener Against Fresno

Cal State Fullerton, which gathered its strength and won five of its last six games, meets the team that spoiled the run tonight in a Pacific Coast Athletic Assn. tournament first-round men’s basketball game.

The Titans’ attempt to win their final six regular-season games was marred by a 57-54 loss to Fresno State that wasn’t very close.

The Titans get another chance at the Bulldogs tonight at 7 in the Forum.

The loss to Fresno State in Selland Arena two weeks ago was one of the Titans’ poorer outings of the season and occurred against a team they had beaten in overtime, 64-57, earlier in the season.

“That was a disappointing loss,” Fullerton Coach George McQuarn said. “Forget the New Orleans game. We’re not going to talk about (Nevada Las Vegas) or anybody else. The worst we played in a game was there. We wanted it as part of our goal of trying to win our last six, and it was a disappointment to play so poorly.”

Fullerton (11-16 overall, 7-11 in the PCAA) lost that game even though Fresno State’s Mike Mitchell, formerly of Mater Dei High School, was lost for the season after a knee injury just more than two weeks ago. Mitchell’s 17 points led the Bulldogs in the first meeting.

Fresno State (9-18, 6-12) is led by forward Jervis Cole (16.3 points). Mitchell, who is still out, averaged 14.3 points.

McQuarn is hoping the fact that the loss to Fresno State spoiled the Titans’ rally will help motivate his team.

“It could be good for us in a way. We may have added incentive. The kids know they played poorly in losing that one game in the last six. But they’re good kids, and they’ve maintained good chemistry. Therefore, I think they may look at it and say, ‘Let’s really play our butts off.’ ”

Should Fullerton win, it would have to play top-seeded Nevada Las Vegas in the second round Thursday, unless Pacific upsets San Jose State Wednesday. The Rebels have eliminated Fullerton for three straight seasons.

“Whenever I think of us being eliminated in the tournament, I think of UNLV,” McQuarn said. “It’s been so long since we matched up with anyone but UNLV. But we’ll worry about that one should we be fortunate enough to win the first game.”