Fullerton Finally in the Win Column

Cal State Fullerton’s early season agony ended Saturday night in Titan Gym.

Fullerton, which had lost its first four games for the first time since the 1970-71 season, stopped the bleeding with an 82-71 victory over Loyola Marymount, another struggling team.

It was the fourth consecutive loss to a Big West Conference team for the Lions (1-4).

Ike Harmon, held to 25 points in the previous three games, led the way for Fullerton with 29 points, including 20 in the first half.

The Titans also got a boost from the unexpected return of center Matt Caldwell, who had been sidelined because of a sprained ankle. Caldwell had 14 points and seven rebounds in 23 minutes. Mark Murphy scored 18 points and Kenroy Jarrett 15, all in the second half.

“For Caldwell to give us that many minutes was a big part of the game,” Titan Coach Bob Hawking said. “I didn’t expect him to play based on what I’d seen in [Friday’s] practice. He was still on crutches two days ago, but our trainers did a good job of getting him back.”

Despite that lift, it was hardly an easy night for the Titans.

Fullerton led by only four points with slightly more than two minutes left before Jarrett connected on a three-pointer, then followed it with a driving jump shot for a 73-64 lead with 1 minute 18 seconds left. Jarrett scored nine points in the last two minutes.

“Jarrett and Murphy had real good games,” Hawking said. “They both had some big shots that carried us down the stretch. And Harmon’s effort in the first half was outstanding. They went to the zone in the second half to try to limit him. I think Ike realizes now he’s going to get a lot of defensive attention.”

Curtis Slaughter led Loyola with 21 points, 16 in the second half, to help keep Loyola in the game.

“Harmon and Caldwell killed us in the first half,” Loyola Coach Charles Bradley said. “It’s really hard to do anything with Ike when he gets going.”

Harmon said the emphasis Loyola put on him in the second half opened up shots for the Titans outside.

“They were collapsing around me, so there wasn’t the need for me to score as many points in the second half,” Harmon said. “In the first half, they gave me the drive, and it opened up a lot of things.”

Caldwell was happy to be back playing, even though it was still with some pain.

“My ankle’s killing me, but I really wanted to play to try to help this team,” Caldwell said. “I didn’t know how long I could go. It was a minute-to-minute thing, but I thought that if I could even contribute a little it would help. It really bothered me to have to sit out the St. Mary’s game.”

Hawking was pleased by the balance his team showed, with four players scoring in double figures.

“I felt we were all on the same page tonight,” Hawking said. “It’s been tough. When you’re 0-4 and have some high expectations, it’s hard to deal with it. Not having the exhibition games, and then having some injuries has made it difficult.”