Titans, Ahead by 25, Hang On to Beat Fresno St.

Never mind that Cal State Fullerton built a 25-point lead only to watch it shrivel.

The Titans played at home for the first time in 26 days Thursday night, and walked off the court winners, something they did only once since their last home game, Dec. 16.

“It’s good to be home,” Fullerton Coach John Sneed said after the Titans’ 73-65 victory over Fresno State. “And any time I walk off the court with a win, I’m happy.”

Fullerton led by 19 at halftime, after making seven three-point baskets in the first half, hitting 50% from beyond the line. That included Wayne Williams’ 50-footer at the halftime buzzer.

It was the fourth long-range three-point basket at the buzzer of Williams’ Fullerton career. He hit one at the overtime buzzer to upset Nevada Las Vegas last year, and hit two others at halftime buzzers last season.

“I don’t know where it comes from,” Williams said. “I don’t practice it, but I’m glad I have it.”

As the second half started, Mark Hill hit two more three-pointers and David Moody added a basket inside. With that, Fullerton led, 50-25.

But then came a six-minute, 17-point Fresno State run. Wilbert Hooker hit two three-pointers in that stretch and Tod Bernard added another. With 11:43 left, the Bulldogs trailed by only eight.

Fullerton couldn’t stop the Bulldogs until Hill hit another three-pointer with 11:10 left.

But the Titans (7-5 overall, 1-2 in the Big West) didn’t let the Bulldogs (6-7, 2-2) get any closer than the final margin.

Cecric Ceballos, Fullerton’s leading scorer, struggled, making only four shots from the field and finishing with 16 points. Hill scored 20 points for Fullerton, and Aaron Wilhite added 14.

Hooker scored 21 for Fresno, with Chris Henderson and Bernard adding 16 each.