Fullerton Shoots Poorly, Falls to Gonzaga

SPOKANE, Wash. —  Only Kentucky and Indiana have been more successful college basketball teams on their home courts than Gonzaga has in Martin Centre in the last five seasons.

So why think anything would change dramatically against Cal State Fullerton on Saturday night?

This isn’t the downtrodden Fullerton team of the past three seasons, and Gonzaga hasn’t been playing like the team that shared the West Coast Conference title last year, but the Titans shot only 35.3% and fell to the Bulldogs, 77-70, ending their four-game winning streak.

“This wasn’t one of our better games,” Titan Coach Bob Hawking said. “The execution wasn’t as good as it needed to be, and we definitely need to shoot better to be a competitive team.”

Fullerton’s starters made only 15 of 52 shots. Despite that, the Titans were still in the game with 3 1/2 minutes to play after two consecutive three-point shots by reserve Dane Plock cut Gonzaga’s lead to 65-64. But Gonzaga responded with six consecutive points to turn back the challenge. It was the final nonconference game of the season for the Titans (7-3). They begin Big West Conference play at home next Saturday against Pacific.

Gonzaga (7-5) shot 42.6% and had four starters score in double figures. Guard Lorenzo Rollins led the team with 19 points.

Guard Chris St. Clair had 18 points for the Titans, but he was only five of 15 from the floor. Forward John Williams scored 15 points, but no other Titan had more than eight.

Gonzaga Coach Dan Fitzgerald thought his team’s size inside finally wore down the Titans in the second half. Gonzaga took the lead early, but the Titans rallied for a 32-26 halftime lead. Neither team shot well in the first half. Fullerton was only 32.4% and Gonzaga 31%.

“Our players really responded in the second half,” Fitzgerald said. The Bulldogs went on a 11-2 run with strong offensive play inside to take a 53-45 lead eight minutes into the second half. The Titans managed to stay in the game, but never were able to regain the lead.