Poor Shot Selection Sinks Titans in 77-70 Loss

SPOKANE, Wash. â€”  Only Kentucky and Indiana have been more successful on their home courts than Gonzaga has been in Martin Centre in the last five seasons.

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

Well, 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 men’s basketball title last year. But the Titans shot only 35.3% from the field and saw their four-game winning streak end in a 77-70 loss.

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

Fullerton’s starters made only 15 of 52 shots from the floor. Despite that, the Titans were still in the game with 3 1/2 minutes to play after two consecutive three-point baskets by reserve Dane Plock cut Gonzaga’s lead to 65-64.

But Gonzaga responded with six consecutive points to turn back the challenge in what was the final nonconference game for the Titans (7-3). Fullerton begins Big West Conference play at home Saturday against Pacific.

Gonzaga (7-5) shot a respectable 42.6% from the field and had four starters score in double figures to run its home-court record to 47-6 over six seasons. Guard Lorenzo Rollins led the way with 19 points, although he was only six of 20 from the field.

Guard Chris St. Clair had 18 points for the Titans, but he was only five for 15 from the floor. Forward John Williams managed 15 points, but no other Titan player had more than Plock’s eight. Guard Chris Dade and forward Craig Whitehead were held to a combined 10 points. Dade was one for eight from the floor, scoring only four, and Whitehead went two for 11 and finished with six points.

“They were well prepared for us, and our shot selection wasn’t what it needs to be,� Hawking said. “They forced John to take some shots that weren’t the best. We were able to hang in with our defense, but not performing well on offense was difficult to overcome.�

Gonzaga Coach Dan Fitzgerald thought his team’s size inside finally wore down the Titans in the second half, even though Fullerton had a 47-43 rebounding advantage. Gonzaga went ahead early, but the Titans came back for a 32-26 halftime lead. Neither team shot well in the first half. Fullerton shot 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.

“Gonzaga made the plays down the stretch, and that was the difference in the game,� Hawking said. “They had more guys who stepped up at that point.�

Even though Fullerton struggled offensively, Fitzgerald was impressed with the effort the Titans made. “That team is far better than last year’s was,� said Fitzgerald, recalling his team’s 83-57 victory in Titan Gym. “Bob has done a great job there. Fullerton is going to be tough this season. I thought the difference in the game this time was our size inside.�

Gonzaga has players 6 feet 11, 6 feet 8 and 6 feet 7 starting in the front court, and they were particularly effective in controlling Williams. It was the first time in five games he has been held to fewer than 20 points.