Titan Fans Boo Holland, Who Leaves a Winner

Former Cal State Fullerton Coach Brad Holland came back to Titan Gym as a rival coach for the second time Tuesday night.

And for the second time, the San Diego coach was booed by Titan fans. But this time Holland left in a much better mood.

Holland’s team had been beaten by the Titans in his first trip back two years ago, but this time San Diego made 22 of 30 free throws and showed poise under pressure in the final few minutes on the way to an 81-77 victory. It was San Diego’s second victory in two road games this season.

“I can’t deny that it’s an emotional game for me,” Holland said.

“It was an intense game two years ago, and it was intense again. And the fans are entitled to their opinion.”

The Titans, winless in two games and playing under sanctions from a four-year NCAA probation for violations during the time Holland was head coach, made a run late in the game, but San Diego turned it back.

Matt Caldwell’s jumper from the key cut the deficit to 78-77 with 25 seconds left. However, Ike Harmon fouled Cameron Rigby two seconds later, and Rigby made both free throws for an 80-77 San Diego lead.

Rigby made seven of eight free throws in the game to finish with 18 points. Guard Matt Delzell led the Toreros with 20 points.

Caldwell led Fullerton with 22 points, and point guard Kenroy Jarrett had 16. Both players matched their career highs.

Harmon, the Titans’ top scoring threat, was held to nine points, making only three of nine shots from the floor, but had a game-leading 13 rebounds.

Harmon got only six shots in the first half and scored four points, but the Titans managed to stay close behind the scoring of Caldwell and Jarrett. The Toreros controlled things inside early in the second half with Tom Lippold getting three open drives that lifted San Diego to a 10-point cushion.

“We definitely need to get better defensively,” Hawking said. “We’re giving up too many easy, uncontested shots. We’re not doing a good job of defending against penetration. It was disappointing.”

But Hawking said his team showed some improvement since its season-opening loss last week to Simon Fraser in Canada.

“I don’t want to use it as an excuse, but this would have been our second exhibition game if we had been allowed to have them,” Hawking said.

Fullerton was not allowed exhibition games this season as one of its NCAA penalties.

“Obviously, I feel badly for Fullerton because of the sanctions, but I don’t know what else to say about that,” Holland said. “Hawk is a good friend and I’d like to see this program do well.”

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