FULLERTON, Calif. --- Led by a 24-point performance from junior guard Iman Lathan, Cal State Fullerton clinched its first Big West Conference win of the season with a 64-53 victory over UC Irvine at Titan Gym on Saturday night.
With the win, Fullerton (4-13, 1-3 BWC) snapped a three-game losing streak as well as a six-game Big West Conference losing streak that dated back to last season. UC Irvine dropped to 3-15 overall and 1-3 in league play.
Lathan recorded her third double-double of the year by adding a game-high 10 rebounds as well as four assists, while Daeja Smith poured in 11 points, eight rebounds and two blocked shots, shooting 5-of-6 from the free-throw line.
Jade Vega chipped in 10 points and four dishes for the Titans.
"Obviously I am tremendously proud of our team's effort and grit tonight," head coach Daron Park said. "At times it wasn't pretty, but we kept our composure and did the little things that don't always show up in the score."
Cal State Fullerton trailed by nine with just under three minutes left in the second quarter, until the Titans executed an 11-0 run to end the first half with a 26-24 lead.
Fullerton shot a perfect 6-of-6 from the free-throw line during the run, while Lathan knocked down two field goals. On the defensive end, Fullerton forced UC Irvine into five missed shots and one turnover.
Fullerton opened the third quarter on a 12-5 run to claim a 38-29 lead with 5:38 left following a three-point play from Dhanyel Johnson as the senior center scored inside despite being fouled. UCI was able to close within three, 46-43, at the end of third.
In the fourth, Fullerton outscored Irvine 18-10, including making 9-of-10 from the charity stripe to preserve the Titans' first win in league play. In addition, while nursing a five-point lead with under three minutes to go, Vega buried a three-pointer on the wing to give Cal State Fullerton a 59-51 advantage as 2:52 remained.
Fullerton shot a season-best 92.3 percent (24-of-26) from the free-throw line as the Titans' 24 made freebies also matched a season high. The free throws offset 23 turnovers which led to 30 of UC Irvine's points.
"We wanted to attack UC Irvine's zone and aggressively get inside and aggressively get to the rim," Park said. "We were able to do that, get fouled, and our players were present and focused to knock down those free throws. Our players were determined to win the game."
The Anteaters were led by Andee Ritter's 13-point performance, while Sabrina Engelstad chipped in 12 points.
The Titans outrebounded UCI 46-29, scoring 13 second-chance points.
Cal State Fullerton is tied for seventh in the Big West standings with UCI and CSUN.
The Titans return to action at Titan Gym hosting UC Davis at 7 p.m., Thursday.
Notes: Cal State Fullerton's four overall wins eclipses its win total from last season…Iman Lathan recorded her ninth 20-point game of the season and led the team in scoring for the 12th time this year…Lathan also recorded her third double-double of the year with 24 points and 10 rebounds….the Titans are 4-2 when holding opponents to 59 points or less… Fullerton is 4-1 when leading at the half…Fullerton's six-game Big West Conference losing streak is also over…Fullerton's last three league wins have come against UCI…Fullerton shot a season-best 92.3 percent from the free-throw line and matched a season high with 24 made free throws.
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