Fullerton Doesn’t Have Outside Chance

Cal State Fullerton followed a pattern Saturday night that Coach Bob Hawking is finding all too familiar.

Texas Arlington further exposed the Titans’ glaring outside shooting problems with a 1-3-1 zone defense, and the Mavericks went on to win, 74-68, in the consolation game of the Fresno State tournament.

“We just started doing some work with that 1-3-1 a few days ago, and I’m real glad we did,” Texas Arlington Coach Eddie McCarter said. “It really saved us. We noticed the other night against Santa Clara that they did a good job of penetrating, and we felt we had to do what we could to take that away from them.”

The Mavericks (2-2) went to the zone about eight minutes into the game, and stayed with it the rest of the way. Fullerton (1-2) made only 19 of 65 shots (29%) and Texas Arlington was 29 of 61 (48%).

What success the Titans had offensively again was mostly from its inside game. Senior center Winston Peterson had 23 points and 16 rebounds. Guard Chris St. Clair scored 16 points, making five of eight three-point attempts. Guard James French, however, missed all 11 shots, seven from three-point range.

“We didn’t attack that 1-3-1 very well, and when you combine that with the poor shooting, it was a struggle,” Hawking said.

Fullerton trailed, 40-33, at halftime and the Mavericks were in control throughout the second half.