Fullerton at Least Makes It Respectable

Cal State Fullerton spotted Utah State a 21-point second-half cushion and then tried to scramble back, but the Aggies turned back the late challenge and remained unbeaten in Big West play with an 84-73 victory Saturday night in Titan Gym.

“It took us too long to start the motor tonight,” Fullerton Coach Bob Hawking said. “You can’t go down that far against a good team and get it done at the end.”

It was the seventh consecutive victory and ninth in the last 10 games for the Aggies, 10-2 overall and 4-0 in conference play. Three of their Big West victories have come on the road.

Fullerton fell to 4-8 and 2-2.

The most telling statistic was Utah State’s 40-26 rebounding advantage, marking the eighth time in 12 games the Titans, who regularly play three guards, have been outrebounded.

Guard Corwin Woodard led the Aggies with 23 points, and reserve guard Covington Cormier had 15.

Center Winston Peterson had 19 points for the Titans with James French adding 14 and Chris Dade 12.

The Aggies led by as much as 12 points late in the first half, but the Titans rallied to cut the deficit to 38-31 at halftime. Utah State roared back for nine straight points early in the second half and went on to lead by 21 before the Titans made their late rush. The closest Fullerton came, however, was five points at 75-70 after a three-point basket by French and a field goal by reserve David Harrison.