Fullerton Defense Shuts Down Nevada, 81-62

Cal State Fullerton put together its best all-around defensive effort of the season in an 81-62 Big West Conference victory over Nevada Thursday night before 992 in Titan Gym.

Fullerton, coming off consecutive losses at nationally ranked UCLA, Nevada Las Vegas and New Mexico State, used an intense man-to-man that helped limit the Wolf Pack to 41.1% shooting.

The Titans (6-4, 1-2 in conference) had 11 steals, three each by Aaron Sunderland and Bruce Bowen, and Nevada (5-4, 0-2) had 19 turnovers. Fullerton center Sean Williams blocked five shots.

“It was a real compliment when their coach (Len Stevens) told us after the game that they had a hard time getting into their offense all night,” Titan Coach Brad Holland said. “Defense is where the game begins for us. We need to play like that.”

Bowen, a senior swingman, led Fullerton offensively, scoring 27 points--16 in the first half--and pulling down eight rebounds.

Forward Kim Kemp added 15 points and 10 rebounds, nine on the offensive boards, and guard Don Leary, despite injuring his wrist in the first half, made four of six three-pointers and scored 14 points.

The Titans used an 11-0 run to build a 37-21 lead late in the first half, and the closest the Wolf Pack got in the second was nine, cutting the deficit to 41-32 with seven consecutive points.

But Williams’ inside basket, Kemp’s three-point play and Sunderland’s two free throws pushed the lead back to 48-32 with 16:04 remaining.