Bad Second-Half Start Proves to Be Undoing for Fullerton

Cal State Fullerton didn’t figure to be much of a match for Baylor’s strong defense Saturday night, and that was the case.

The Titans went scoreless for the first eight minutes 38 seconds of the second half in losing to Baylor, 80-50, at Titan Gym.

It was Fullerton’s most one-sided loss at home since a 32-point defeat against New Mexico State in February 1995.

Baylor (5-0) held its fifth consecutive opponent to fewer than 57 points.

The Titans (1-6) had shot only 38.1% in the first half to trail at halftime, 47-21. Then came the scoring drought to start the second half.

“It was embarrassing,” Titan Coach Donny Daniels said. “Not that we got beat by 30 points, but it was the energy level, the lack of enthusiasm and our effort.”

Baylor led only 17-14 midway through the first half, but broke away with 10 consecutive points, including two consecutive three-point baskets by reserve Chad Elsey.

Elsey, a transfer from Southern Methodist who became eligible on Saturday, connected on his first four three-point attempts and scored 16 of his 20 points in the first half.

“We decided to bring Elsey in off the bench because our other lineup had been playing well,” Baylor Coach Dave Bliss said. “It’s unusual to have a guy provide spark that quickly. He did everything we thought he was capable of.”

Baylor also got 16 points and seven rebounds from Terry Black and 13 points from DeMarcus Minor.

Ike Harmon, the Titans’ leading scorer, played only eight minutes in the second half after getting injured in a spill with 7 1/2 minutes left in the first half.

“He was hurting,” Daniels said. “That’s why I didn’t play him more in the second half. He said his ribs were bothering him.”

Harmon finished with only two points in 22 minutes, making one of seven shots.

Reserve Josh Fischer led Fullerton with 15 points, making five of seven shots. Freshman Ryan Dillon scored 12 points.

Fullerton shot 33.3% for the game to 51.8% for Baylor. The Titans also made only 12 of 21 free-throw attempts and had 23 turnovers to 12 for Baylor.

“We took two steps back tonight,” said Daniels. “But this isn’t the NBA. We can’t draft anyone, and we can’t pick up anybody from the waiver wire.”

Fullerton’s only victory this season came against College of Notre Dame, an NAIA team.