Shorthanded Titans Can’t Keep Up With Houston

End that Cal State Fullerton home-court winning streak at 12 and close the book.

The Titans, minus three starters and one substitute who were suspended indefinitely on Tuesday for violating team rules, were a shell of their former selves during a 77-63 nonconference loss to Houston on Wednesday night at Fullerton.

Gone, too, for the Titans is the fourth-longest home-court winning streak in the nation.

Center Sean Williams, forward Kim Kemp and point guard Aaron Sunderland--who average a combined 35 points per game--were not even allowed in the gymnasium, let alone into the starting lineup.

As a result, the Titans:

--Fielded a lineup featuring only two regular starters--each of whom is suffering from stress fractures in a foot.

--Stayed in a zone defense the entire way while Houston made 15 of 28 three-pointers.

--Were visibly relieved afterward that Houston’s side of the scoreboard never spun out of control.

“Our players were all business and played hard,” Fullerton Coach Brad Holland said. “We certainly reached our expectations. I think Houston knew they were in a basketball game when we cut it to eight (points) in the second half.”

The entire game, it seemed, was played over the Titans’ heads. Houston (13-6) set a school record by making 15 three-pointers and guard David Diaz tied a school record with seven three-pointers and finished with 25 points.

Houston’s 15 three-pointers were the most made against a Fullerton team. The Cougars’ 28 attempts tied them with Nevada Las Vegas for the most tried against Fullerton.

“Seemed like they had two or three guys who could shoot the three,” said Fullerton’s Dijon Bernard, who finished with 11 points.

Fullerton (12-7) relied on its remaining starters, forward Bruce Bowen and guard Don Leary.

Bowen, playing point guard and center, moved into 10th place on the Fullerton career scoring list with 26 points. Leary, who made six of 12 three-point attempts, scored 21 points.

Besides the three starters, back-up point guard Sharif Metoyer was also suspended as a result of an incident late last Saturday night after Fullerton’s victory in Reno.