FULLERTON, Calif. – Two prolific runs by Pepperdine went unanswered by the Cal State Fullerton men's basketball team as Atif Russel led the Waves with an 18-point performance in a 74-62 victory over the Titans at Titan Gym on Saturday night.
Pepperdine (5-1) knocked down nine three-pointers in the game, and pieced together devastating runs in both the first and second halves to hold off Cal State Fullerton (3-6) from making a comeback.
Senior guard Alex Harris led the Titans with 26 points, seven rebounds and three steals, but it wasn't enough as Pepperdine amassed a 13-point lead, 40-27, with 19:08 remaining in the game – a lead the Titans failed to catch despite coming agonizingly close.
The Titans used a defensive lineup with Sheldon Blackwell, Josh Gentry, Kennedy Esume and Harris to cut the Waves' advantage to 47-44 with 8:53 to play as Pepperdine committed four turnovers and failed to make a field goal in six attempts. But the 13-3 run by the Titans could not be extended as Pepperdine quickly established a double-digit lead once again.
Shawn Olden drained two three-pointers and David Jesperson added a third during the Waves next three possessions, building the lead back to 56-46 with 7:04 to play – an advantage the Titans couldn't dent again.
Steve McClellan recorded the first Titan double-double of the season and the fourth of his career with 12 points and 10 rebounds, while also matching his career high with a game-high three blocks. Moses Morgan chipped in 12 points on the evening.
Olden also reached double figures for Pepperdine with 13 points on a 3-of-4 shooting effort from long distance. Jeremy Major added 10 points, seven rebounds and four assists, while Stacy Davis poured in 10 points. In addition, Amadi Udenyi dished a game-high eight assists.
Pepperdine shot 44.6 percent (25-of-56) from the floor for the game, and a remarkable 50.0 percent (9-of-18) from three-point range. The Waves offense excelled with 16 assists on 25 baskets while also committing just 11 turnovers.
Fullerton shot 38.2 percent (21-of-55) from the floor and a cold 3-of-20 from three-point range, totaling eight assists compared to 12 turnovers.
Pepperdine ended the first half on an 18-7 run to take a 38-27 lead at halftime.
Fullerton was plagued by eight first-half turnovers despite shooting 45.5 percent (10-of-25) from the floor as Harris scored nine in the first period.
Pepperdine shot 45.7 percent (16-of-35) from the floor in the first 20 minutes and the Waves knocked down four three-pointers, grabbed six offensive rebounds and totaled eight assists on 16 buckets.
The game was tied at 20-20 with 6:04 to play in the first before Pepperdine's late run. During the stretch, the Titans committed four critical turnovers and Major rebounded his own miss and converted the short put back at the horn to give the Waves an 11-point edge at the break.
Cal State Fullerton returns to action at Sacramento State on Thursday.
Notes: Pepperdine leads the all-time series 12-11 and snaps a four-game losing streak to the Titans…Cal State Fullerton is 0-2 against the West Coast Conference in 2014-15…Alex Harris leads the Titans with seven double-figure scoring games and three 20-point games. His 26-point effort was also the 12th 20-point game of his career…Steve McClellan (12 points/10 rebounds) recorded the first Titan double-double of the year and the fourth of his career. His three blocks matched a career high…three 3-point field goals made matched a season low for the Titans, while Fullerton's .150 three-point field goal percentage set a season low…Fullerton's five blocked shots matched a season best.
