Box Score (PDF)
Post Game Quotes (PDF)
FULLERTON, Calif. - Freshman Michelle Berry recorded 38 points in her debut in navy and orange to lead the Titans over Portland State 84-69 to win their first season opener since 2011 at Titan Gym on Friday night.
Berry's 38 points is the most recorded in a single game by a freshman, putting herself as only one of four Titans in history to have posted that number.
Freshmen Jade Vega and Dani Craig also made their mark in their first career games, scoring 15 and 11 points respectively while combining for 13 assists. Junior Sami Logan led the Titans defensively, posting 9 rebounds while coming in clutch in the second half.
The Titans jumped to the early lead in the first minute of the game when Michelle Berry hit a three to open up the game. Portland State answered back quickly with back-to-back three's to take the 6-3 lead. Yet another freshman in Craig stepped up with her first three-pointer to get the momentum back in Fullerton's favor.
The Titans took advantage of the Vikings nine turnovers in the first period while Berry found her groove, logging 16 points and going 3-3 from behind the arc to lift the Titans to a 27-17 lead after the first period.
In the second period, Portland State began to battle back, closing the Titan lead to only four at the half. The Vikings outscored Fullerton in the second period 22-14, while they held Berry to only seven points. Portland State was led by junior Ashley Torres and freshman Michaela Kay who both had 10 points in the first half.
Leading the Titan offense in the first half was Berry who recorded 23 points while Vega chipped in 11 points and four assists.
Continuing on her hot streak, Berry opened up the second half with a layup, holding the Titan lead until the Vikings' Kay hit her second three-pointer of the game to put Portland State within three.
Throughout the third period, the Titans flirted with the lead, letting the Vikings close in and eventually take the 57-56 lead with two minutes remaining in the quarter. Freshman Lauren Nubla logged the first points of her career with a layup to regain the Titan lead by one in the third.
The two teams drew an even 18 points each in the third quarter with Fullerton keeping the lead after 30 minutes of play at 61-57.
In the final period of regulation, the Titans finished the game like they started it, breaking away from the Vikings. The Titans outscored PSU 23-12 in the final 10 minutes, highlighted by Craig's three-pointer to extend Fullerton's lead to 10.
The Titans head to Loyola Marymount to take on the Lions on Tuesday night with tip-off scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
NOTES: Five Titans made their debut in a Fullerton uniform tonight, including Karima Gabriel who scored three points and had four rebounds…. Only two players played all 40 minutes tonight and they were both freshmen in Craig and Berry… Three Titans scored in double digits…
