Harmon Takes Charge in Fullerton Victory

Donny Daniels picked up his first regular-season victory as Cal State Fullerton’s coach Saturday night with a big boost from Ike Harmon.

Harmon scored 28 points, 21 in the first half, and the Titans rolled past College of Notre Dame, 79-64, in front of 1,013 at Titan Gym. With the victory, Fullerton avoided an 0-4 start for the second consecutive season.

The victory was the Titans’ first since they won at UC Irvine in late January last season. Fullerton ended last season with an 11-game losing streak.

Harmon had played only six minutes in Fullerton’s loss to Pepperdine last week after a two-game suspension for violating team policy. He also had been sidelined for four weeks before that because of a foot injury.

“It might have been difficult for us to beat this team without Ike,” Daniels said. “They couldn’t guard him, but he’s capable of those kinds of numbers against a Long Beach State, as well as College of Notre Dame.”

It was the first loss in five games for the Argonauts, an NAIA team from Belmont, Calif.

“They’re a good NAIA team, but it’s a game we’re supposed to win,” Harmon said. “More than anything, it was good game for me to get my feet wet again. My legs felt like rubber bands at times in the second half because of my conditioning.”

Harmon, whose career high is 33 points, made up for lost time quickly in the first half. He made nine of 10 shots from the field and three for three at the free throw line before the break. He took seven shots in the second half.

Harmon scored Fullerton’s first three field goals and overwhelmed the Argonauts with his quickness inside. The Titans built a 10-point lead on a three-pointer by Ryan Dillon with 3:15 to play in the first half, and led, 39-29, at halftime.

Notre Dame shot 38.5% in the first half to Fullerton’s 63%. The Titans finished at 60.4% with Harmon making 12 field goals in 17 attempts. Joaquin Pons made six of nine three-point shots and led the Argonauts with 24 points.

Center Matt Caldwell appeared to get a boost from Harmon’s return. Caldwell, who had only eight shots in the first three games, made six of eight from the field and finished with 13 points.

“It was nice to get a win,” Daniels said. “At least now the guys know how that feels. It should give us some confidence for Loyola Marymount.”

The Titans play at Loyola Marymount Tuesday night, then return home to face Wyoming Saturday.