Fullerton Enjoys a Laugher, Defeats Santa Barbara, 76-61

The game was a laugher, but nothing compared to Marcus Bell’s blunder with 1 minute 30 seconds remaining in Cal State Fullerton’s 76-61 victory over UC Santa Barbara Saturday night.

Bell, a freshman who had played only 14 minutes this season, checked in with a few other Titan reserves, pulled off his warm-up jacket and had his game jersey on backward.

Fullerton Sports Information Director Mel Franks was quick to catch the garb gaffe, and Bell was able to turn the shirt around before most of the 2,223 fans in Titan Gym had even noticed.

But his teammates did and gave him a good razzing.

For the first time since an 86-66 victory over Division II Chapman College on Dec. 22, Fullerton Coach John Sneed was able to play most of his reserves, including Bell and even more seldom-used substitute, Tom Parada, a walk-on who had played only two minutes before Saturday night.

Five Fullerton players scored in double figures, led by Joe Small’s 17 points, Agee Ward’s 14 points and 12 rebounds, and 13 each by Aaron Wilhite and J.D. Green.

The Gauchos, who trailed by as many as 14 in the first half, had pulled to within three, 47-44, with 11:25 remaining on Idris Jones’ three-point basket, but the Titans scored nine consecutive points, including five by reserve freshman guard Greg Vernon, to take a 56-44 lead with 8:53 left.

Fullerton improved to 14-12, 7-10 in Big West play, and clinched a spot in the conference tournament. The Titans jumped from eighth place in the standings to fifth, a half-game ahead of Santa Barbara (11-14, 6-10), Fresno State (6-10) and Long Beach (6-10).