Butler Presses Last (and Best) to Beat Fullerton, 100-83

Cal State Fullerton’s pressing defense helped turn a nine-point halftime deficit into a five-point lead with 7:06 left against Butler University Tuesday night. But the Titans’ offense against the press was atrocious, as Fullerton collapsed in a flurry of late-game turnovers and lost to the Bulldogs, 100-83, before a crowd of 1,729 in the Hinkle Fieldhouse.

As the second half progressed, it appeared the Titans might pull out a tough victory on the road. They fought back with a full-court defense, which helped cause 22 turnovers, and the offense of Joe Small, who tied his career high with 33 points, and Agee Ward, who had 23.

Then the Bulldogs (3-1) applied a full-court press of their own, and the Titans wilted, especially inexperienced point guard Aaron Sunderland.

Trailing, 74-69, with 7:06 left, Butler surged ahead with seven consecutive points, three coming after Darin Archbold stole a pass by Sunderland and converted a three-point play.

Moments later, Archbold stole the ball from Sunderland near midcourt, drove, scored and was fouled, and made the free throw to give Butler an 81-76 lead with 4:02 to go.

Titan forward Bruce Bowen’s driving layup and free throw stemmed the Bulldogs’ momentum, but only for a moment. Butler scored 12 unanswered points in a two-minute span to take a 93-79 lead with 1:15 left.

“We did an excellent job coming back from nine down with our press and matchup zone defense, but in turn, that’s what brought them back,” Fullerton Coach John Sneed said. “They fought fire with fire.”

And Sunderland got burned the most. He had eight of the 22 turnovers for the Titans (1-1).