Drake’s Smith Puts on Show, Helping Defeat CS Fullerton

Cal State Fullerton Coach Brad Holland was only partially correct in his post-game assessment that the Titans beat themselves in an 86-73 loss to Drake on Saturday night.

Yes, the Bulldogs’ full-court press helped create 27 turnovers. And, yes, Fullerton occasionally lost its poise, like the time center Sean Williams was assessed a technical foul early in the second half.

But a 5-foot-10 point guard also was a factor. Curt Smith, a junior from Washington, D.C., by way of Compton College, scored 30 points before a Drake Center crowd of 5,720.

It wasn’t so much how many points Smith scored, but how he scored some of them. Once in the second half, he dribbled between his legs four times, drove the lane, jumped and, leaning to the left, made a right-handed 12-footer.

Fullerton (2-1) led by eight points midway through the first half, but after Drake guard Jeff Allen keyed a comeback with three three-pointers, Smith--brother of former Boston Celtic guard Charles Smith--scored 13 consecutive points to help the Bulldogs (2-1) take a 44-34 lead.

The Titans pulled to within 61-54 with 10 minutes 19 seconds to play, but Smith scored six points during a 10-0 run that pushed the lead to 71-55.

“Smith was fantastic,” Holland said. “He penetrated any time he wanted. He was quick, strong with the ball and very creative. We didn’t do a good job collapsing and helping out Aaron (Sunderland, who had to guard Smith). Obviously, he’s changed their team.”

Adrian Thomas added 20 points and Allen had 15 for the Bulldogs, who shot 51.8%. Bruce Bowen led the Titans with 21 points. Don Leary took all 15 of his shots from three-point range and made five for 15 points and Sunderland added 14 points.