Titans Beat UNLV, Get Into Race at 3-3

Cal State Fullerton is suddenly making its presence felt in the Big West Conference basketball race.

The Titans, who won only once in nonconference play and were picked to finish last by Big West coaches in the preseason, boosted their conference record to 3-3 Thursday night before 1,106 in Titan Gym with a 64-61 victory over Nevada Las Vegas.

Freshman Kenroy Jarrett made a free throw with 13 seconds left to give Fullerton the three-point lead. That forced UNLV to go for a three-point shot to tie, and a shot by Chancellor Davis was partially blocked and fell short.

UNLV had called timeout after Jarrett missed the first of two free throws, but Jarrett said he was confident about the next one.

“I told the guys on the bench that I was going to make it,” said Jarrett, who also made one of two free throws with 30 seconds left.

Davis had scored with 23 seconds left to cut Fullerton’s lead to 63-61.

“This was a good win for us,” Titan Coach Bob Hawking said. “UNLV is still UNLV in our minds.”

Fullerton (4-10) has won three consecutive games at home after losing its first four in Titan Gym this season. UNLV fell to 6-8 and 3-3 in the conference, after winning five of its previous seven games.

Guard Chris Dade led the Titans with 16 points and Hawking gave him credit for another strong defensive effort, holding Jermaine Smith to three points. Reserve forward Tony Lane led the Rebels with 19 points.

Titan forward John Williams, who sat out Fullerton’s victory over UC Irvine Saturday because of a swollen hand, returned and scored 13 points to go with a team-leading eight rebounds.