Fullerton Plays Poorly but Beats Sonoma State

In the space of a game, the Cal State Fullerton basketball team went from overachievers to underachievers Saturday, struggling to beat Sonoma State in a a game Coach John Sneed called “an embarrassment.”

The Titans, who surprisingly started with a 2-1 record, led by only 8 points with 6 minutes left but finally beat Sonoma State, 90-64, before 1,210 fans at Titan Gym.

The Cossacks, a Division II team, had lost to Cal State Northridge, 106-80, Thursday.

Sneed was distressed despite Fullerton’s third victory in 4 games and Cedric Ceballos’ 29-point, 15-rebound performance. It was the second time in 4 games that Ceballos has been in double figures in both categories.

“I told them after the game that was the (worst game I’ve) ever been associated with in 17 years of coaching,” Sneed said. “They played to the level of the competition. They didn’t play within the system. But talent prevailed, and they won the ball game.”

Fullerton opened the game with a 9-0 spurt, not allowing Sonoma State a field goal in the first 3:51.

But the Titans flagged after that, and played poorly much of the half, committing 13 turnovers and 12 fouls, sending Sonoma State to the line 13 times.

“We caused ourselves trouble by reaching and slapping and putting them at the line,” Sneed said. “That’s not the way we’re supposed to defend.”

Fullerton never led by as much as 9 again in the first half, and by halftime was ahead 42-38.

Sneed, obviously, was displeased.

“I let them know in my own special way,” Sneed said tersely.

The second half started no better at first. Sneed called a timeout within the first minute, and then the Titans got on track.

“We came out and missed three layups,” Sonoma State Coach Dick Walker said. “We could have gone ahead.”

Instead, Fullerton scored the first 8 points of the second half, taking a 50-38 lead.

Mark Hill hit a 3-point shot, followed by a 17-foot jumper by Wayne Williams.

Then Ceballos made a steal and drove down court for a tomahawk dunk over Derrick Bell, who fouled him.

Ceballos made the free throw, putting Fullerton up by 12.

Fullerton went ahead by as many as 15, but Sonoma State cut into the lead again. The Titan lead was only 62-53 after back-to-back 3-pointers by Matt Boyle and Bell.

The Cossacks had their chances. Fullerton turned the ball over repeatedly. Hill threw a pass into a defender’s hands. John Sykes caught a pass in the middle and threw it into the open court. With the lead at 10, Fullerton allowed 6-foot 4-inch forward Jasbir Negra an offensive rebound and a basket, with Derek Jones committing his fifth foul. Negra hit the free throw, leaving Sonoma State only 8 points behind, 66-58, with 6:08 left.

“I think they felt we were in the game then, down eight,” Sonoma’s Walker said. “Then it got away.”

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