TEMPE, Ariz. – Cal State Fullerton men's basketball fell in double overtime at Arizona State on Tuesday by a score of 102-94. Senior guards Kyle Allman, Jr. and Khalil Ahmad scored 35 and 31 points, respectively, to lead the Titans but it was not enough to outlast the Sun Devils in the season-opening game.
The Titans had the ball with the game tied at 82 and the shot clock turned off to end regulation but were unable to convert. To get there, Fullerton got out to an early lead in the opening half but ended up trailing for most of the first half and for 16:46 of the second half. Junior guard Jamal Smith recorded a steal and found Ahmad for a layup to give the Titans a 56-55 lead with 10 minutes, the first lead of the second half. CSF then held an 81-79 lead with 53 seconds left but ASU took advantage of missed free throws to tie the game and ultimately send it to OT.
Wayne Arnold got a clean look at it but we're going to OT. #TusksUp pic.twitter.com/hDdDVtLQPt
— Titans Men's Basketball (@FullertonMBB) November 7, 2018
At the end of the first overtime period, the Titans once again led 89-85 with a 1:59 left but were unable to score in the final two minutes and needed a stop to send the game to the second overtime.
.@austen_acee with another rejection and @dee_clare5 follows up the miss to give CSF an 89-85 lead. 1:56 left in OT. DC has 11p and 7r. #TusksUp pic.twitter.com/dBM4DySwiA
— Titans Men's Basketball (@FullertonMBB) November 7, 2018
In the final frame, numbers became an issues as four Titans fouled out and two more had four fouls. Fullerton was out-scored 13-5.
Allman scored 35 (13-26 FGA, 5-11 3FGA, 4-6 FTA) and chipped in seven rebounds along with a steal. He played 46 minutes, second on the team behind only Ahmad's 48. Ahmad had 31 points (10-22 FGA, 1-6 3FGA, 10-12 FTA) along with five rebounds and three steals. Juniors Austen Awosika and Davon Clare contributed big nights for the Titans as Clare (5-9 FGA) had 11 points, seven rebounds and a block in 37 minutes. Awosika stuffed the stat sheet as he produced nine points, six rebounds, seven assists, two blocks, a steal and just two turnovers in 42 minutes.
The Titans were out-rebounded 58-42 and allowed 20 offensive rebounds that turned into 19 second-chance points for the Sun Devils. ASU shot 44 free throws (made 26) to Fullerton shooting 19-26 from the charity stripe.
Fullerton faces West Coast Baptist on Saturday at 2 p.m. PT for the first home game of the season.
.@CSFCoachTaylor on tonight's game. #TusksUp pic.twitter.com/PQcKS1mZ6x
— Titans Men's Basketball (@FullertonMBB) November 7, 2018
SUPPORT THE TITANS!
Fans can purchase tickets for various Cal State Fullerton athletic events by visiting FullertonTitans.com/Tickets. The Athletic Ticket Office can also be contacted by phone at 657-278-2783 or by email at athletictixs@fullerton.edu. The Ticket Office is located at the Titan House off of Gymnasium Drive at the eastern end of the Intramural Fields and is open from 10 am – 4 pm PT, Monday – Friday.
FOLLOW THE TITANS!
Fans can keep up with the latest in Titan Athletics by following us on Facebook (Facebook/FullertonTitans), Twitter (@FullertonTitans) Instagram (@FullertonTitans) and Snapchat (FullertonTitans). In addition, the basketball team has established its own Twitter (@FullertonMBB) and Instagram accounts (@FullertonMBB).