Neal Says He Thought Man Would Kill Him

Tony Neal, the captain of Cal State Fullerton’s basketball team, said Tuesday that he believed he was going to be killed by a man who Neal said robbed and kidnaped him near his Santa Ana home Saturday night.

“I was most definitely sure I was going to die. . . . I was terrified,” Neal said. “I didn’t try to escape.

“After he instructed me to stop (in Santa Fe Springs) the guy said he was going to spare me and I was thrilled to death.”

Neal, a 6-foot 6-inch forward who leads Fullerton in rebounding, was driving to the Titans’ game with Cal State Long Beach game when, he said, a man forced his way into the car and pointed a revolver at him. He said he drove with the man for 40 minutes before the suspect took $15 and left. Neal was not hurt.

Neal had refused to discuss the incident until after Monday night’s game against Fresno State on advice of his coach and attorney. He said he wanted to concentrate on the game. He scored 13 points in Fullerton’s win over the Bulldogs.