Gonzaga Leaves Fullerton Searching for Answers

Gonzaga had too much size, court savvy and shooting skill for Cal State Fullerton Saturday night.

The Bulldogs, with three starters back from a team that was 21-9 and made its first NCAA tournament appearance a year ago, overwhelmed Fullerton in the Titans’ home opener, 83-57, before a 1,006.

It was the first of three consecutive games against West Coast Conference teams for the Titans, who were 0-3 against the WCC last season. Fullerton’s next two games are against Loyola Marymount at home and at San Francisco.

Gonzaga (3-2) shot 53.2% from the field, making six of 11 three-point tries, and blitzed Fullerton (1-3) behind the shooting of guard Jon Kinloch and the commanding inside play of 7-footer Paul Rogers. Kinloch was 10 for 18 from the field and finished with 26 points. Rogers had 15.

The Titans shot only 28.2%, and were four for 21 on three-point tries. Only junior forward John Williams reached double figures in scoring for Fullerton. Williams had 23 points.

“They’re a tournament-tested, veteran team and they really exposed our youth,” Titan Coach Bob Hawking said. “They pressured most of our shots, and our shot selection was only so-so.”

Gonzaga Coach Dan Fitzgerald was particularly pleased with his team’s play, especially on defense.

“It was almost like we were at home and they were on the road the way the two teams shot the ball,” Fitzgerald said. “I felt badly for Bob. Everyone has a game like that one, and you’d rather it was on the road.”

Fullerton fell behind at halftime, 43-28, for the first time in its four games and never recovered.

The Titans’ shooting was sluggish from the start, and the Bulldogs built an 11-point lead, 25-14, before using Kinloch’s firepower to build a bigger edge at the break.