For Cal State Fullerton, Playing Wisconsin Green Bay Is No Holiday

It might have been a bit of a post-Christmas basketball letdown for Cal State Fullerton.

But it also was a matter of Wisconsin Green Bay continuing its long-standing effectiveness in Brown County Arena with a 70-60 victory over the Titans on Saturday night at Green Bay, Wis.

“They’ve certainly been successful in this building,” Fullerton Coach Bob Hawking said.

So successful that Green Bay logged its 52nd victory in its last 60 home games over five seasons. This one was fashioned, like many of the others, with strong defensive play and solid free-throw shooting.

The Phoenix (6-4) held the Titans (5-4) to their second lowest point total of the season and kept them winless in four games on the road. Both teams had 20 field goals, including six three-pointers, but Green Bay made 24 of 30 free throws for the winning margin.

“I thought we came out sluggish,” Titan guard Chris Dade said. “We all went home for the Christmas holidays, ate a lot and had only one day of practice in the last week. That probably showed.”

Hawking also said the layoff might have been a factor, but he had no second thoughts about giving his team the time off.

“We wanted them to be able spend some time at home for the holiday,” Hawking said. “We thought it was in the best interest of the kids. It gave them some time to recharge their batteries. It’s a long season, and I think it will help in the long run, even if it didn’t tonight.”

Dade was the only Fullerton player to reach double figures in scoring with 15 points, and Green Bay Coach Mike Heideman thought his team’s defense was a big factor in the outcome.

“Our defense enabled us to control the tempo,” Heideman said. “We watched two of their games on film, and we knew we couldn’t let them get into a transition game. That’s where they’re strong. I thought the key for us was getting that little lead in the first half, and being able to hang on to it.”

The Titans led early, 19-15, but Green Bay scored 12 consecutive points and was leading, 35-27, at halftime. The Phoenix also had another run in the second half, outscoring Fullerton, 15-4. Green Bay led by as many as 19 points with 7 1/2 minutes to play before Fullerton cut into the deficit.