Fullerton Routs Fresno St.; Sneed Gets Loudest Cheers

There are certain privileges reserved for gloating fans in the final minutes of a blowout, and one of the most honored is calling for the subs.

A chant went up from the Cal State Fullerton crowd in the waning minutes of the Titans’ 71-56 victory over Fresno State Saturday night, and with 37 seconds left, it was at its peak.

But this one wasn’t for reserves. The last player off the bench, Joe Neeley, a former manager who became a walk-on, was already in the game.

They were calling for the coach, John Sneed, who has had the job only on an interim basis since George McQuarn resigned before the season.

“We want Sneed, We want Sneed,” chanted many of the 2,225 fans at Titan Gym.

Fullerton officials, sticking with their decision made before the season to hold an open search for a replacement, accepted applications until Friday. They plan to name a coach within a few weeks.

Sneed, on the sideline, kept his reaction in check.

“Everyone has their opinion,” he said later. “I guess two or three voiced theirs.”

The celebratory mood in Titan Gym was the result of a thorough reversal of Fullerton’s first game against Fresno State this season, a 21-point loss that Sneed called “a total embarrassment.”

This time, in the final home game of the season, the Titans gained a 25-11 lead early, let the Bulldogs back in it late in the half, and then pulled away finally with six minutes left when Cedric Ceballos scored a three-pointer to give the Titans a 57-47 lead. The lead was never under double digits again, and once was as high as 17.

Fullerton won with a pressing defense that forced two 10-second violations and numerous turnovers, and an interior defense that helped contain Fresno’s leading scorer, Jervis Cole, who scored 22 points but made only eight of 26 shots.

“We weren’t ready for their quickness,” Fresno State Coach Ron Adams said. His Bulldogs are 12-13 overall and 7-9 in the Big West Conference.

For Fullerton (14-11, 9-7), the game began with the traditional senior recognition, punctuated by Derek Jones’ emotional appearance.

He hugged not only most of his teammates and his mother, but also each of the parents of the other seniors gathered at halfcourt.

“I’m a pretty affectionate guy,” Jones said. “We were just excited about our last home game.”

With the victory, led by Ceballos’ 28 points, Fullerton assured itself of a .500 season and at least a seventh-place finish in the Big West.