Slow Start Dooms Fullerton in Loss to Nevada Las Vegas

Cal State Fullerton has made an art form of the slow start, but the Titans underdid themselves Saturday night against Nevada Las Vegas.

Fullerton scored only 20 points in the first half at Utah State and against Nevada in Reno earlier this season. Saturday night against UNLV before 5,068 at the Thomas & Mack Center, the Titans had 21 at the intermission. But their performance in the first 10 minutes of a 68-59 Big West loss had to be one of the worst in school history.

“We dug ourselves a 15-foot hole and we just couldn’t climb out,” Fullerton Coach Bob Hawking said. “It wasn’t like we came out flat. We were playing hard, intense basketball. But we were so erratic and out of sync, and that led to some easy opportunities for them.”

After four minutes, the Titans, 6-16 overall and 5-9 in conference, had committed five turnovers and taken only one shot. After 10 1/2 minutes, they had 12 turnovers, three field goals and trailed by 13.

UNLV (8-14, 5-9) is now tied with the Titans for last place in conference. The Rebels had lost seven of the 10 previous games. Fullerton closed to within four points twice, with 2 minutes 17 seconds and 1:19 left, but the Rebels made five of eight free throws in the final 55 seconds to wrap up the victory.