FULLERTON, Calif. - Cal State Fullerton made a valiant comeback in the second half but ended up losing 82-80 to Long Beach State on Friday night in Titan Gym. Fullerton had a chance to win or tie with two seconds left but didn't get a shot off as its six-game winning streak over LBSU was snapped. Junior guard Tray Maddox Jr. led the team in scoring with 18 points. Game two against LBSU is set for 5 p.m. PT on BigWest.TV in Titan Gym on Saturday.

Long Beach State led for 38:13 of the game with just two lead changes, both of which came in the first half. LBSU held a 51-36 lead at halftime and although the game would be close down the stretch, they did not relinquish that lead. The Titans outscored them 44-31 in the second frame but it was not enough. Fullerton senior forward Josh Hall forced a turnover with seconds left in the backcourt. On the ensuing inbounds play, the Titans were unable to get a shot off before time expired.

LBSU guard Isaiah Washington scored a game-high 20 points including 4-4 from the three-point line. As a team, LBSU shot the ball extremely well except from the free-throw line with numbers of 51.8% (29-56) from the field, 55.6% (10-18) beyond the arc and just 56.0% (14-25) at the line. LBSU also turned 13 Titans turnovers into 10 points.

Hall just missed a double-double once again as he posted 10 points and nine rebounds. He also pitched in five assists and six steals in 30 minutes of action. Maddox led the way for Fullerton with 18 points (7-16 FGA) to go along with one rebound and one assist in 29 minutes. Freshman guard Latrell Wrightsell Jr. tallied 14 points (3-5 FGA, 7-7 FTA), three rebounds, three assists and three steals. Sophomore forward Vincent Lee pitched in 10 points and three rebounds while junior guard Landis Spivey chipped in 11 points (3-6 3FGA) off the bench.

Fullerton forced 22 turnovers that turned into 21 points and also had 25 bench points. The team shot 28-65 (43.1%) from the floor, 6-23 (26.1%) beyond the arc and 18-25 (75.0%) at the free-throw line. 

.@LJWrightsell on the game and what needs to change going into tomorrow's game. #TusksUp pic.twitter.com/kIGPqgGhNx

— Titans Men's Basketball (@FullertonMBB) January 9, 2021