COLLEGE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL ROUNDUP : James Fits New Role Well as Titans Beat Gonzaga in Opener

In her first start as a forward, Heidi James scored a career-high 16 points Friday night in Cal State Fullerton’s season-opening 80-57 victory over Gonzaga, in a first-round game of the Titan Gatorade Classic at Titan Gym.

James, a 5-foot-8 junior who had started 24 games at guard the past two seasons, hit eight baskets (also a career high) and equaled a career high with four steals.

Fullerton will face Georgetown, a 78-74 winner over San Diego State, in tonight’s championship game at 8. The consolation game is scheduled for 6 p.m.

In a first-round game of the Southern Methodist women’s basketball tournament:

Kent 92, UC Irvine 67--The Anteaters’ starting front line--forwards Cher Scanlon, Yvonne Catala and center Geanine Hobbs--all fouled out, as did reserve forward Jinelle Williams, as Irvine fell to 0-2.

Karie Yoshioka scored a game-high 19 points, topping her career high of 11 set Jan. 19 against New Mexico.

In a fifth-place semifinal game in the Western New Mexico women’s basketball tournament:

Tarleton (Tex.) State 54, Southern California College 49--Center Jamie Zitterkopf had a game-high 19 points, but the Vanguards (1-3) hit only seven of 29 second-half shots.