Struggling Titans Take ‘Two Steps Back’

Cal State Fullerton didn’t appear to be much of a match for Baylor’s strong defense before guard Chad Elsey took the court Saturday night.

After he did, it quickly became a runaway for the Bears.

Elsey, a transfer from Southern Methodist who became eligible on Saturday, connected on his first four three-point attempts and scored 16 points in the first half, as the unbeaten Bears battered the Titans, 80-50, in Titan Gym.

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

The Bears (5-0) held their fifth consecutive opponent to 57 or fewer points.

Fullerton was scoreless in the first eight minutes 38 seconds of the second half. The Titans (1-6) shot only 38% in the first half and trailed at halftime, 47-21.

“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. I’m no martyr, but it was my fault.”

Baylor led only 17-14 midway through the first half, but the Bears broke away for 10 consecutive points, including two consecutive three-pointers by Elsey.

“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.”

Elsey, who had sat out last season and the first four games this season to gain eligibility, finished with 20 points and five rebounds. Forward Terry Black scored 16 to go with seven rebounds, and guard DeMarcus Minor had 13 points.

Ike Harmon, the Titans’ leading scorer, played only eight minutes in the second half because of a fall he took 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 from the floor. Reserve forward Josh Fischer led Fullerton with 15 points on five of seven from the field, including three of five three-pointers. Freshman guard Ryan Dillon scored 12 points, making four of eight three-point attempts.

“If we had played the way we did against Pepperdine and Wyoming, we could have played with these guys,” Daniels said. “We took two steps back tonight. But this isn’t the NBA. We can’t draft anyone, and we can’t pick up anybody from the waiver wire.”

The Titans only victory this season came against College of Notre Dame, an NAIA team. It is Fullerton’s worst start since the 1995-96 team started 1-8.

“Baylor is a good team, and they do a good job on defense,” Daniels said. “We knew Elsey was a great shooter, and we focused on him and (Wendell) Greenleaf, but they made six of 10 threes.”