Wyoming Rolls Over Fullerton

They made the two-hour flight, then made the two-hour van ride into the high plains.

Then the Cal State Fullerton Titans stepped onto the floor of Wyoming’s Arena-Auditorium and faced 6-foot-10 Theo Ratliff, the nation’s leading shot-blocker last year, and 6-9 Queint Higgins, who muscles under the basket as if he hadn’t had three knee operations.

Final score: Wyoming 80, Fullerton 62.

Not a great way to start the season.

Breaking in seven players who had never played at the Division I level, the Titans trailed by as many as 16 points in the first half, pulled to within five and trailed by eight at the half.

In the second half, they dug themselves a 10-point hole, again pulled to within five with 17 minutes left, and then were overwhelmed by the Cowboys (2-1).

Ratliff blocked four shots, Cowboy guard David Murray scored 24 points (20 in the second half) and Higgins added 16 points and 12 rebounds.

Winston Peterson, a transfer from San Jacinto Community College in Texas, led Fullerton with 19 points and 10 rebounds, and guard Greg Vernon, one of only two returning players from last season, had 11 points.

“I thought we made a very good effort for 30 minutes, and then I think we were a quarter of a tank low,” Coach Brad Holland said. “We ran out of fuel with about 10 minutes left.

“I saw some very encouraging signs that this team has a chance to come together and accomplish some good things.”