Fullerton Shoots Down Stars in Exhibition

Cal State Fullerton won its preseason basketball exhibition game Friday night in Titan Gym, but Coach Donny Daniels said the effort left plenty of room for improvement.

“We’ve got a long way to go,” Daniels said after the Titans’ 63-60 victory over the Los Angeles Stars, a touring team of former college players.

However, the Titans played without two of their top players, center Matt Caldwell and forward Ike Harmon, in their first appearance under Daniels.

Daniels said he kept Caldwell out of the game for disciplinary reasons, but said he would be back when the Titans open the regular season at home Wednesday against Simon Fraser.

Harmon has been sidelined for nearly three weeks with a stress fracture in his left foot. His injury will be reevaluated next week, but Daniels said he won’t be available for the opener. “The soonest he could be ready would be the Oregon State game [Nov. 17] if he’s healed,” Daniels said.

Freshman forward Keith Brooks also was sidelined, and will be out at least two more weeks with a back injury.

Returning starter Brandon Campbell led the way in the exhibition with 14 points. Freshman guard Ryan Dillon had 13, and junior point guard Kevin Richardson scored 11.

Daniels was disappointed that his team made only 19 of 29 free throws, and didn’t play with as much enthusiasm as he wanted in the first half. Fullerton trailed, 36-31, at halftime, but picked up the pace in the second half.

“We have to grow as a team from this,” Daniels said.