CS Fullerton Drops Into Fifth Place, 60-58

Don’t dwell on defeat, Cal State Fullerton Coach Brad Holland told the Titans at their shoot-around on Saturday.

Pacific had dropped the Titans into fourth place in the Big West in an emotional game on Thursday night and, on Saturday night, San Jose State dropped them into fifth, 60-58, before 2,497 in The Event Center.

The Titans (14-10, 9-7) lost for the fifth time in their past eight games.

“Two poor performances in a row for us,” Holland said, shaking his head. “We had some people who weren’t ready to play. I have no answers as to how people aren’t prepared with what’s at stake.

“This was by far our worst road trip of the year. It’s very untimely to be playing like that at such a pivotal point in the season.

“The only thing left to do is finish strong.”

The only hitch is that Fullerton’s final two regular-season games are against the Big West’s two best teams--New Mexico State and Nevada Las Vegas.

Senior point guard Aaron Sunderland was talking to his teammates late Saturday night about a players-only meeting on Monday.

“We’re going to get things straightened out,” Sunderland said. “Talk about where we stand, our record, coming back together as a family. Playing hard and depending on one another.”

It was obvious that this night would be a struggle from the beginning. The Titans went scoreless for the first 3:35 and Holland benched three starters--Sunderland, Don Leary and forward Bruce Bowen--less than four minutes into the game. Reserves Sharif Metoyer, Dijon Bernard and Greg Vernon played the next 2 1/2 minutes. “Those three weren’t ready to play, so why play them?” Holland said.

Bowen and Leary had 12 points apiece for Fullerton. Guard Lossie Mitchell led San Jose State (7-16, 4-11) with 11.