Titans’ Harmon Limps to Rescue

Cal State Fullerton’s Ike Harmon wasn’t at his best Saturday night in Titan Gym.

“But Ike on one leg is better than a lot of guys on two,” Titan Coach Bob Hawking said.

Harmon, who missed the Titans’ basketball season opener at Kansas State earlier in the week because of a severe ankle sprain, made an unexpected return to the lineup against San Diego State, and provided the lift the Titans needed to get past the Aztecs, 79-76.

“I just wanted to do whatever I could,” Harmon said. “If that was just get one rebound or block one shot, then I still wanted to do it. I didn’t want to be on the sidelines again.”

Harmon scored 14 points in 18 minutes, going seven for seven at the free-throw line, and blocked three shots.

The Titans (1-1) made 10 of 12 free throws in the final 2 minutes 21 seconds, with Harmon getting four of them.

Guard Mark Murphy, a junior transfer from Glendale Community College in Arizona, led the Titans with 16 points, including eight of nine free throws. Center Matt Caldwell had 13 points, and guard Kenroy Jarrett and Mark Richardson each had 10.

It was Fullerton’s third consecutive victory over San Diego State--the other two were in overtime--and the 10th consecutive home nonconference victory over three seasons for the Titans.

San Diego State, with eight freshmen on its roster and only two scholarship players back from last year’s team that was 13-15, shot 35.9% from the field to 47.1% for Fullerton. Freshman Myron Epps led the Aztecs (0-3) with 18 points.