COLLEGE BASKETBALL BIG WEST CONFERENCE WOMEN’S TOURNAMENT : Miller Leads Fullerton Past New Mexico State

New Mexico State used a lot of hustle and a little bit of everything else in knocking No. 15-ranked Nevada Las Vegas out of the Big West Conference women’s tournament Wednesday night.

But on Thursday, the Roadrunners were outhustled and clearly overmatched by unranked Cal State Fullerton, which reached its first Big West final with a 108-80 victory over New Mexico State in a semifinal at the Long Beach Arena.

It appeared the Roadrunners had little left after defeating UNLV with a three-point shot at the buzzer, 90-89.

But then, the Roadrunners weren’t up against a player as dominant as Titan center Genia Miller. And they were beaten at their own game--on the perimeter--by Titan guard Joey Ray.

The 6-foot-3 Miller owned the inside, equaling her best scoring effort with 44 points. She was taken out with six minutes left.

“I wasn’t even aware of Miller’s 44 points,” Fullerton Coach Maryalyce Jeremiah said. “Not until after she came out.”

The Titans’ point total was a school record. In the tournament, the Titans have outscored their two opponents, 187-121.

Miller also had 12 rebounds and five blocked shots.

“Yes, I was into the game--very much so,” she said. “Every game from now on someone has to be into it; it lifts the spirits of the teammates and makes them more aggressive.”

Ray was also into the game. While Miller was working on the inside, the 5-7 junior was hitting from the outside.

She made four of eight three-point shots in the first half in helping the Titans build a 50-36 lead. Ray was five of 11 from the distance and finished with a career-high 29 points. She had a game-high nine assists.

Forward Claudette Jackson contributed 18 points and 12 rebounds for the Titans (24-6).

The Titans outshot the Roadrunners, 52% to 48%, outrebounded them, 39-36, and forced 28 turnovers.

Forward Andrea Kabwasa led the Roadrunners (14-17) with 28 points.

“I wouldn’t say we had a letdown,” New Mexico State Coach Doug Hoselton said. “We faced a very good team, but we can’t let that overshadow what we did (against UNLV).”

The Titans will face Cal State Long Beach in the championship game Saturday. Long Beach defeated UC Santa Barbara, 82-70, Thursday night. Dana Wilkerson and Kari Parriott had 20 points apiece to lead the 49ers (22-7). Erika Kienast led Santa Barbara (17-12) with 19 points.