Fullerton Holds Off Loyola, 75-70

For two consecutive years, Loyola Marymount guard Jim Williamson made a crucial basket late in the game to lift the Lions to victory over Cal State Fullerton.

Williamson made two steals in the final minute against the Titans Saturday night in Gersten Pavilion, but this time it wasn’t enough, and resurgent Fullerton held on for a 75-70 victory in front of 1,297.

It was the first time Fullerton (3-1) has won three consecutive road games since the 1990-91 season and the Titans’ best start since the 1992-93 season when Brad Holland’s first team went 5-1.

Guards Ali Nayab and Chris Dade sparked the Titans to their first victory over a West Coast Conference team in eight games. Nayab had a career-high 18 points, connecting on seven of nine from the floor. Dade finished with 17 points and was four for eight on three-pointers.

Dade made a key three-point shot and John Williams added a free throw after a steal by Nayab to give Fullerton a 70-64 lead with two minutes to play. Nayab also connected on a pair of free throws with slightly more than a minute left to keep the Titan lead at six points, but Williamson refused to let the Lions (2-4) crumble.

Unlike the past two years, however, his late-game efforts this time were not enough.