Tutt Shoots Down Fullerton

Raymond Tutt came to UC Santa Barbara’s rescue just in time Thursday night.

Tutt connected on consecutive three-point shots, the second with 2 1/2 minutes to play, to break up a tight game and lead the Gauchos to an 87-81 Big West Conference victory over Cal State Fullerton in front of 1,036 in Titan Gym.

The victory was the first on the road in seven games for UC Santa Barbara (6-11, 3-4 in the conference), and only the second for the Gauchos in their last 22 games away from home over three seasons.

Cal State Fullerton is 7-10, 2-5 in the Big West.

“Tutt stepped up and made two big plays for them, and we didn’t have the answers,” Titan Coach Bob Hawking said.

Tutt, held to four points in the first half, scored 16 in the second. Kealon Wallace had 19 points and B.J. Bunton 18 for the Gauchos.

UC Santa Barbara made 22 of 24 free throws, including 22 in a row before Bunton missed two with seven seconds to play. That string surpassed the school record of 18 consecutive free throws, set against Pepperdine in 1988.

Cal State Fullerton was only 16 of 31 at the line.

Chris Dade scored 15 of Cal State Fullerton’s first 19 points, but he didn’t score again in the first half and finished with 21.