Titans Are Consistent in Victory : College basketball: They defeat Northridge, 82-61. Now comes tough part of schedule, starting Monday at UCLA.

By MIKE DiGIOVANNA

Dec. 22, 1991 12 AM PT

TIMES STAFF WRITER

FULLERTON — The scouting report from Cal State Fullerton’s 82-61 victory over Cal State Northridge Saturday night won’t exactly have UCLA players shaking in their sweats today.

But it was a good, solid victory for the Titans, and that’s about all Coach John Sneed can ask for these days as Fullerton prepares to play the third-ranked Bruins in Pauley Pavilion Monday night.

The Titans (3-3) played their most consistent, all-around game of the season. And for once, they didn’t let a lead slip away. Noticeably absent were those extra-large patches of ragged play, which plagued Fullerton in its previous five games and turned two possible victories into defeats.

Bruce Bowen had 21 points and 11 rebounds, Joe Small made a surprisingly strong showing despite suffering from the flu last week by scoring 16 points, and point guard Aaron Sunderland played his best game of the season, getting 14 points and nine assists.

Fullerton outrebounded the Matadors, 47-28, and shot 51.7% from the field compared to Northridge’s 38.1. David Keeter (12) and James Morris (11) were the only players in double figures for the Matadors, who were without starting center Percy Fisher. Fisher was suspended from the game for disciplinary reasons.

“I was pleased with our effort and consistency the whole game,” Sneed said. “We had some breakdowns when we played some strange combinations, but otherwise we executed well, shot well, rebounded well and used good judgment in our running game. Aaron had only one turnover in the first half. That’s excellent for him.”

Northridge (0-9) now travels to the University of San Diego for a game tonight. Fullerton, meanwhile, must brace itself for the toughest part of its 1991-92 schedule.

After the UCLA game, the Titans play host to Drake Dec. 28. Then they play at Houston Dec. 30, return to Fullerton and open Big West Conference play against Nevada Las Vegas Jan. 2. They return to the road for games at Fresno State (Jan. 9) and Utah State (Jan. 11).

“It’s the toughest stretch of games in the history of Cal State Fullerton,” Sneed said. “But it’s a storm we’ll have to weather.”

It was pretty much smooth sailing for the Titans after halftime Saturday night. Northridge, as is its custom this season, stuck close and trailed, 39-30, after 20 minutes. But Small opened the second half with a jump shot and a three-pointer to give the Titans a 44-30 lead.

Fullerton’s 20-7 run later in the half extended the Titans’ lead to 68-43 with 7:20 remaining. The Matadors never got closer than 18 points the rest of the way.

“We were looking past Northridge for a little while,” said Small, who didn’t start and played only 24 minutes. “But the guys know the challenge is ahead of us, and we wanted to have a good practice Sunday.”

Sunderland sparked the Titans early, hitting an open jumper, passing to Kevin Ahsmuhs for a fast-break basket and driving from the perimeter for a basket as Fullerton built a 15-5 lead. He hit several open jumpers throughout the game and had only four turnovers after entering with a 5.4 average.

“I thought he played real well,” Small said. “He knocked down the open shots, kept his composure and ran the team better than he has the last three games. He really stepped up.”

Forward Agee Ward, on the other hand, went into a free-fall compared to last Saturday’s 35-point, 15-rebound performance against Portland. In about the only disappointing development from Saturday night, Ward didn’t score until early in the second half and finished with only 10 points and five rebounds in 22 minutes.

Asked what he told the lethargic-looking Ward at halftime, Sneed said, “I let him know he shouldn’t have a goose egg against a team like this. He didn’t take bad shots, but he could have been more aggressive on the boards and played a little harder. Health-wise, he’s fine.”

Sneed expects Ward and his teammates to turn it up a notch Monday night.

“Teams like that move your energy level to a higher note,” Sneed said.