Titans Looking Forward to Eye-to-Eye Matchups

The bad news for the Cal State Fullerton men’s basketball team was that it was outrebounded, 65-32, in its season-opening game against Utah.

The good news is that the Titans probably won’t play another team this season with that much size and strength inside.

“Not even UCLA has that kind of size,” Coach Bob Hawking said.

Utah’s front line of 6-foot-11 Michael Doleac, 6-10 Hanno Mottola and 6-8 Alex Jensen finally wore down the Titans in the final 10 minutes Saturday night, and the Utes went on to an 87-59 victory.

“I can’t remember a game where we’ve seen three guys in double figures on the glass,” Hawking said. “And when they weren’t in the game, Utah was able to bring in two freshmen who are 6-11 and 6-9. They’re going to win a lot of games with that kind of size.”

While the Titans were disappointed they didn’t make a better showing, the bottom line is that they lost to a team ranked 16th in the nation that was playing with a lot of confidence on its home court.

“We could have played Cupcake U. in our first game, but we chose to play a top-20 team,” Hawking said. “And we found out right away where we stand. It’s a report card, and we know what we have to do to improve. Rebounding has been a concern, and we need to shore it up.”

The Titans trailed by nine points with 9:45 to play, but didn’t get the shooting they needed to stay in the game. Fullerton shot only 30.6% Utah didn’t shoot much better (36.2%), but the Utes had 29 offensive rebounds compared to 12 for the Titans.

Utah Coach Rick Majerus said he was impressed with the defensive effort Fullerton made, and Hawking said that was reflected in the statistics the Titan coaches keep. “There was great effort,” Hawking said. “There were a lot of deflections, but what we didn’t do was finish plays.”

The Titans should be able to have things more their own way when they play their home opener Saturday night against Norfolk State.

*

Hawking believes the Titans are doing well recruiting. Four players have committed during the early signing period.

First-year assistant Ronnie Dean, who worked for a scouting service before he joined the Titans, has quickly made his presence felt with his contacts in the Midwest.

Dean, who lived in St. Louis, played a key role in the Titans’ landing guard Brandon Campbell of Cardinal Ritter High in St. Louis and forward Josh Helbig of Belleville (Ill.) East High.

Hawking said both players are rated among the top prospects in the St. Louis area.

*

Coach Denise Curry will make her debut as a head coach when the women’s basketball team opens its season tonight at home against Nevada Las Vegas.

Curry got a preview in an exhibition game Monday night. SAM Myjava, an experienced national team from Slovakia with a front line of three players 6-foot-1 are taller, shot 64% from the floor and defeated the Titans, 91-78.

“It was similar to a lot of first games in that it showed us that we still have a lot of things to work on,” Curry said. “We’re not in the kind of shape we need to be in. We looked tired at times. And our 27 turnovers were way too many.”

Curry started a lineup that included returning regulars Kris Sigg and Andrea Thieme at the guards. Sophomore Erin Whiteside started at center with two freshmen, Nashira Shaw and Loren Gualco, at the forwards.

*

The women’s volleyball team ended its season on a down note last weekend in a one-sided loss to No. 1-ranked Long Beach State. It was Fullerton’s eighth consecutive loss and left the Titans with a 12-18 record, 4-12 in the Big West.

Fullerton had improved its record each season since 1995 before stumbling this season. Last year’s team was 16-13, the best record in school history and the first winning season since the 1981 team went 18-17.

The Titans won seven of their first 10 matches, but then lost six of their next seven.

“That happens when you don’t have a lot of depth and you get injuries,” Coach Mary Ellen Murchison said.

Injuries sidelined several players a major portion of the season. Melissa Blackler missed nearly the entire season, and Stephanie Wichmann and Kahealani Smith missed part of it.

Titan Notes

The Titan wrestling team, which didn’t win a dual meet last season, won in its first outing Friday against UC Davis, 25-17, even though four potential regulars were held out of the match because of injuries. The Titans also hosted the California Open Sunday. Jason Webster was fourth at 167 pounds, Babak Nejadmaghaddam fourth at 177 and Steve Duran fifth at 158. . . . The men’s cross-country team was 13th and the women’s team 17th in the NCAA regional at Tucson Saturday. Francisco Vazquez led the men, finishing 65th. Sarah MacDougall was 51st, leading the women.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Coming Attractions

Key games this week for Cal State Fullerton:

* Women’s basketball against Nevada Las Vegas, at 7 tonight at Titan Gym. It’s the first game for new Coach Denise Curry.

* Men’s basketball against Norfolk State at 7 p.m. Saturday at Titan Gym. The Titans play their home opener after losing on the road against 16th-ranked Utah, 87-59, Saturday.