Akognon keys Fullerton’s victory

Cal State Fullerton’s trouble at home seemed to be at work again Thursday night: The Titans trailed UC Santa Barbara by 19 at halftime.

But Fullerton came back for a 72-65 victory in Titan Gym, buoyed by 20 second-half points by Josh Akognon, who finished with 29 on 10-for-23 shooting, including five of nine from three-point range.

The Titans, 12-10 overall and 6-4 in the Big West, began the game 1-3 in conference home games, but 4-1 on the road.

“I think being at home relaxes us, and we don’t come out with tenacity,” Akognon said.

Fullerton’s lack of a clear home advantage might be a reflection of the size of the crowds. Only 890 were on hand for the Santa Barbara game, and in the early going, fans who had been around long enough to remember former coach Brad Holland seemed intent on razzing the UC Santa Barbara assistant coach, who last coached at Fullerton in 1994.

The Titans were placed on NCAA probation after Holland’s departure for violations by his staff while he was coach.

Santa Barbara (8-13, 2-7) led at halftime, 42-23, but Fullerton recovered as Akognon’s three-pointer with 2:40 left tied the score, 63-63. Gerard Anderson put Fullerton ahead with a basket in the lane with 2:02 left and the Titans’ free-throw shooting held off the Gauchos.

-- Robyn Norwood

UC Davis 82, at Long Beach State 76 -- Vince Oliver scored 33 points as the Aggies (10-12, 5-4 Big West) ended an eight-game losing streak to the 49ers (11-10, 6-3).

The score was tied, 66-66, with under three minutes left before Davis scored on its final nine possessions. Oliver made a three-pointer and seven free throws in the final 62 seconds.

Davis went on a 16-1 run midway through the first half to build a 21-13 lead. Long Beach State countered with an 11-2 run and trailed, 31-30, at halftime.

at UC Irvine 64, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo 57 -- Kevin Bland scored 16 of his 20 points in the second half and Patrick Rembert added 16 points for the Anteaters (8-14, 5-4 Big West), who trailed, 24-20, at halftime but opened the second half on a 10-2 run.

Rembert played all 40 minutes in his second start of the season in the place of junior Michael Hunter, who sprained his ankle on Wednesday.

Titus Shelton scored 16 points with seven rebounds to lead the Mustangs (5-14, 2-7).

at Cal State Northridge 79, Cal State Bakersfield 62 -- Tremaine Townsend scored 10 of his 14 points during a decisive first-half run for the Matadors (10-10).

Bakersfield (6-16) led, 14-4, early, but Northridge went on a 28-3 run to take control of the game.

at UC Riverside 66, Pacific 63 -- Kyle Austin scored 20 points and grabbed eight rebounds for UC Riverside (12-9, 4-5 Big West).

Michael Kirby kept Pacific (12-8, 5-4) in the game with two three-pointers in the final 18 seconds.

-- Associated Press