San Jose State Is Fodder for Titans

Cal State Fullerton finally found a team it could manhandle Saturday night.

The Titans, beaten by 33 points earlier in the week at Pepperdine, took it out on San Jose State, holding the Spartans scoreless for more than seven minutes of the first half on the way to a 68-44 victory in Titan Gym.

“We were solid defensively,” Titan Coach Bob Hawking said. “Our players rose to the occasion after a dismal performance in Malibu. It was our best defensive effort of the year.”

The Titans improved to 2-5, 2-1 in home games. San Jose State (3-4) lost its fourth consecutive game. It was Fullerton’s biggest victory margin since beating Quincy College, 96-66, last season.

Fullerton outscored the Spartans, 18-2, during one run in the first half, going from a two-point lead to a 29-11 cushion. The Titans led, 33-17, at halftime and coasted the rest of the way.

The Spartans, who had broken the 50-point mark only once in their previous four games, shot 22.2% in the first half, making six of 27 shots from the floor. San Jose State shot 30.9% for the game.

San Jose State forward Billy Landram, who had scored 35 points in two previous games, was held scoreless. Landram didn’t get his first shot until six minutes into the second half and had only three for the game.

The Titans also held senior guard Ben Sanders to four points, and he didn’t get a field goal until the final minute. Sanders, who played at Fullerton College, had scored 20 points to lead the Spartans to a 25-point victory over the Titans last season in San Jose.

The Titans had double-figure scoring efforts from four starters, with guard Mark Murphy making four of seven three-point shots and finishing with 14 points. Ike Harmon and Matt Caldwell each had 13, and Brandon Campbell finished with 11.

“They took it to us pretty good up there last year, even though we were playing without Caldwell, who was suspended for that game,” Hawking said. “We were able to stay with Sanders better this time. They penetrate well, and we did a good job of taking that away from them.”

Hawking gave Campbell credit for a good effort on defense against Sanders.

“I feel like my whole game is starting to turn around, and I’m shooting the ball better too,” said Campbell, who was four of seven from the field.

Nothing much worked for the Spartans. R.J. Powell led San Jose State with 13 points, but none of his teammates reached double figures.