Aggies Go Inside to Defeat the Titans

Cal State Fullerton put the clamps on New Mexico State’s strong outside shooting game Thursday night in Titan Gym, but the Aggies didn’t let that bother them.

They just went another direction in the second half for a 61-54 victory over the Titans in the Big West Conference opener for both teams. It was Fullerton’s first loss at home in six games and sixth victory in the last eight games for the Aggies.

Struggling from outside in the first half, the Aggies patiently went to their inside game, and Charles Gosa and Aaron Brodt each delivered 15-point efforts. Between them, they were 12 of 15 from the field.

“They got a lot of easy opportunities in the second half, and you can’t allow that when you’re only shooting 38%,” Titan Coach Bob Hawking said.

But it was still either team’s game until Brad Bestor connected on three-pointer on the final second of the shot clock to give the Aggies a six-point lead with slightly more than two minutes left.

“That was the knife in the heart,” Titan forward Ike Harmon said.

It was only the third three-pointer of the game for the Aggies in 12 attempts. Freshman guard Eric Channing, leading the conference in three-point accuracy, managed only five shots and made only one. Point guard William Keys was two of 11 from the field.

Despite that, New Mexico State (8-5) shot 49% from the floor, the second-best effort by any team against the Titans (6-5) this season.

“Fullerton did a good job on our outside game,” Aggie Coach Lou Henson said. “They played as good defense against us as any team has all year, but the key was that our board play was a lot better in the second half.”

Fullerton controlled rebounding, 20-11, in the first half, which ended with the score tied, 27-27.

Channing, who scored 25 points in New Mexico State’s loss to New Mexico last weekend, was able to get off only two shots in the first half, and got his only basket on an open three-pointer four minutes into the second half.

“They were tight on me the whole game,” Channing said. “But I think that opened up the inside game in the second half.”

New Mexico State, however, also turned in a strong effort on defense against Harmon, who made only four of 14 shots and finished with 10 points, tying his season low. Jason Cunningham’s 12 points led the Titans.

“I think my height bothered Ike a little,” Gosa said. “Ike’s good, but he forced some shots in this game.”

Hawking agreed that Harmon had an off-night on offense against Gosa and Brodt, both with a two-inch height advantage over the 6-foot-7 Harmon. Harmon, however, had a game-high 11 rebounds

“He’s been guarded by bigger guys all year, but he didn’t have one of his stellar games,” Hawking said. “Our problem was that they just broke our defense down inside in the second half.”

Harmon said New Mexico State’s pressure caused him problems. “I know I forced some shots, but they just weren’t falling. But this was just one game. It’s a long season.”

Hawking saw something of a bright spot in the Titans’ improved ball handling, but it still wasn’t as good as New Mexico State’s. The Titans had only 14 turnovers after averaging 26 over the last four games, but the Aggies had only nine.

“It was a slower-paced game, so that helped, but we handled it better” Hawking said.

However, Titan guards Mark Murphy and Kenroy Jarrett each were held to nine points.