CS Fullerton Makes It Tough on Holland

It was a rude reception from the start for San Diego Coach Brad Holland.

Holland, who resigned as Cal State Fullerton coach in 1994 after two seasons, was booed when he walked on the court for his first game back in Fullerton Saturday night, but that was no more than a minor irritant.

The Titans delivered the blow that hurt.

Fullerton, sparked by a 27-point effort from sophomore Ike Harmon, defeated San Diego, 76-70, in front of 1,025 in Titan Gym. The victory avenged a one-sided loss the Titans suffered last year in San Diego and gave Fullerton its fourth victory at home this season without a loss.

It didn’t come easily, even though Fullerton (4-2) had a 19-point lead three minutes into the second half and a nine-point advantage with little more than three minutes left.

San Diego (3-3) cut the deficit to four points with a minute to go, but reserve guard Dane Plock intercepted a Torero pass and drove for a layup with 36 seconds left to clinch it.

“Part of being a successful team is learning how to put teams away when you have them down,” Titan Coach Bob Hawking said. “We haven’t been doing that. You have to take advantage of your runs when you make them, but we’re opening the door back up for the other team.”

Holland also was disappointed by his team’s inconsistency. “We’re not on the same page,” he said. “We play in spurts.”

Harmon’s strong play in a five-minute stretch in the second half was the key for the Titans. Harmon scored nine consecutive points that gave Fullerton a 70-61 lead with slightly more than three minutes left.

The Titans also got a combined 23 points from their two fifth-year senior guards, both of whom Holland recruited to Fullerton. Chris Dade had 13 points and Chris St. Clair 10. Forward Brian Miles led the Toreros with 19 points.

Plock finished with nine points. “That defensive play he made was a big one,” Hawking said.

Equally important, as it turned out, was Hawking’s decision to move Harmon to the power forward spot to take advantage of his quickness. It worked well, and Harmon also had 10 rebounds.

“I think he’s probably better suited to play the No. 4,” Hawking said. “His quickness will be a difference against all of our opponents. He’s quicker than the 6-8 and 6-9 guys who would normally be guarding him.”

Hawking also was satisfied with the shift of Mark Richardson from forward to center. “Mark gives us a lot defensively that doesn’t show up in the box score,” Hawking said.

It was mainly a game of offense, however, with San Diego shooting 55.1% from the field and the Titans shooting 48.4%. Fullerton shot 64% and San Diego 70% in the first half.

Fullerton was in control early, but San Diego came back to lead by five points briefly. At that point, the Titans went on a 21-7 run to build a 42-33 lead with slightly more than two minutes left in the first half.

Dade nailed two three-point baskets, and St. Clair dropped in another to key the Titan surge. Plock also had a three-pointer in the run after a steal by Dade, and Dade’s strong defense produced another steal. He took that one all the way for a layup to give Fullerton a 46-35 lead at halftime.

The Titans outscored San Diego, 12-4, to open the second half, but didn’t hold their 19-point lead. The Toreros came back with 14 consecutive points before St. Clair ended that run with a three-point shot.

After that, Harmon’s strong play inside kept Fullerton in control.

“I guess it wasn’t too bad for my first game at the No. 4,” Harmon said. “I hadn’t played that position since my freshman year in high school, but the coach feels it’s what’s best for me.”

Harmon said he was able to drive more because he set up closer to the basket. “This way I’m already down low, and it makes it easier for me to get inside.”