Fullerton Goes From Bad to Worse

Cal State Fullerton’s sub-par shooting continued Saturday night at Titan Gym, and a solid Montana team made the most of it.

The Grizzlies (8-3) outshot the Titans and handed Fullerton its fifth consecutive loss, 70-62, before 1,237. That left the Titans (1-7) reeling with the school’s worst start in basketball since the 1964-65 team went 0-9 on the way to a 1-25 season.

Fullerton, outshot 43.8% to 37.9%, starts Big West Conference play this week.

The Titans have shot above 43% only once this season, and that came in their only victory against San Diego State.

The Titans fell behind, 40-23, at halftime while shooting only 30.8% from the field and couldn’t make up the difference with an improved performance in the second half.

“That was a big deficit at halftime, and you can’t afford to dig yourself that big a hole and come back against that kind of team,” Coach Bob Hawking said.

Center Nate Covill led Montana with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Forward Shawn Samuelson had 13.

Fullerton had three players in double figures with sophomore guard Chris Dade leading the way with a season-high 18 points. Forward John Williams had 15 and guard Chuck Overton 13.

The Grizzlies shot 48.4% in the first half, with most of their points coming from close range.

“We were manhandled on the glass, and they were shooting the ball and we weren’t in the first half,” Hawking said. “We stepped it up in the second half and made it competitive, but it was just too far for us to come. We’re obviously a young team and we’re learning on the job.”

Montana led by 12 points with three minutes left before Fullerton cut into the deficit at the end.