Titans end skid to Pacific

It had been nearly four years since Cal State Fullerton defeated Pacific and nearly seven years since the Titans defeated the Tigers at Titan Gym, so Fullerton Coach Bob Burton’s celebratory mood was understandable Saturday night when the Titans defeated Pacific, 76-70, in a Big West Conference game.

“I can go have a beer, or maybe a couple,” he said. “It’s a relief. It’s nice to finally beat them.”

Fullerton (12-3, 3-1 Big West) last defeated the three-time defending conference champion Tigers (5-10, 2-1) on Feb. 27, 2003. Its last home victory over Pacific was Jan. 23, 1999.

It wasn’t easy Saturday. The Titans led, 68-54, with 2 minutes 13 seconds to play, but the Tigers chipped away by making four three-point baskets in the next two minutes. Fullerton’s Bobby Brown and Ray Reed made six of six free throws in the final 32 seconds to hold off the run.

Brown, a senior who had never defeated Pacific, finished with a game-high 21 points for Fullerton, which won its 12th consecutive home game and seventh in eight games overall.

-- Peter Yoon

Cal State Northridge 67, UC Riverside 60 -- Terrell Jones led the Matadors with 18 points, but it was his 11 rebounds that may have counted more in the Big West game at Riverside. The Matadors (7-7, 1-2) out-rebounded the Highlanders, 47-25. It was the 11th consecutive loss for Riverside (3-13, 0-4).

Long Beach State 77, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo 70 -- Kejuan Johnson scored 26 points to help the 49ers (11-4, 2-0 Big West) extend their winning streak to nine in a row. They are 6-0 at home. With the score 64-64 and 5:44 to play, the 49ers used a 13-6 run to pull away from the Mustangs (6-8, 1-3).

UC Santa Barbara 64, UC Irvine 59 -- Alex Harris scored 25 points and Chris Devine had 15 points and 11 rebounds for the Gauchos (11-4, 3-1 Big West), who handed the Anteaters (7-9, 1-1) their first home loss this season.

Gonzaga 97, Loyola Marymount 62 -- The Bulldogs (10-6, 1-0) have won 46 consecutive home games -- the longest active streak in NCAA Division I -- and 24 consecutive West Coast Conference games. The Lions (8-9, 0-1) have lost eight in a row to Gonzaga.

Portland 73, Pepperdine 69 -- The Pilots (5-12, 1-0) beat the visiting Waves (4-13, 0-1) for the third time in a row and it gave first-year Coach Eric Reveno a victory in his first WCC game.