Fullerton’s Long Season Might Get a Little Longer

Cal State Fullerton won only its fourth game of the season Thursday night, but the 63-60 victory over Idaho might go a long way toward earning the Titans a spot in the Big West Conference tournament.

Fullerton built a 16-point lead in the second half, then held off the Vandals down the stretch to break a seven-game losing streak and end a string of nine consecutive losses in Titan Gym.

The victory gave Fullerton (4-20, 3-11 in the conference) a two-game sweep over Idaho (5-19, 2-11) and the tiebreaker advantage should the teams finish with the same conference record.

Idaho probably will need at least two victories in its last three conference games to have a chance to knock Fullerton out of a playoff spot. Eight of nine teams advance to the tournament.

“They’re still in it mathematically, but I’d much rather be in our position than the other way around,” Titan Coach Donny Daniels said.

Idaho, winless in 11 games on the road, plays at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Saturday, then plays at Pacific and hosts UC Irvine next week. The Titans have conference games remaining against Long Beach State at home Saturday night and at Irvine next Thursday.

Guard David Castleton scored a season-high 16 points to lead Fullerton. Josh Fischer had 11 points with Kevin Richardson and reserve guard Chris Smith each getting 10 for the Titans.

“I shot the ball a lot better tonight than I have lately,” said Castleton, who was six of 10 from the field and three of five on three-point shots. “Coach told me to look for my shot tonight. It was the first time he’s said that in a while, so it gave me confidence.”

Castleton, who has been slowed by a shoulder injury recently, had scored only 31 points in his previous six games.

“My shoulder felt good tonight,” Castleton said.

The Vandals held Ike Harmon to four points, but Harmon finished with a team-high seven rebounds, putting him in the No. 4 spot among the school’s career leaders with 625. Henry Turner ranks third with 630 from 1984-88.

Fullerton led, 60-48, with slightly more less than five minutes left before Idaho came back to cut the lead to two points on two free throws by Bret Wise with 42 seconds remaining.

Two free throws by Richardson kept Fullerton in control, and Ryan Dillon made one of two at the line with 10 seconds left.

“They played with a sense of urgency late in the second half,” Daniels said of Idaho. “They pushed the ball on us, and we didn’t get back well. I think fatigue set in on us too. We took some quick shots and made some turnovers, and that helped them get back in it.”

The Titans fell behind by eight points in the first half, but scored the final 11 points before halftime to take a 30-25 lead.

Consecutive three-pointers by Richardson and Smith pulled Fullerton into a 25-25 tie before the Titans took their first lead.