DAVIS, Calif. — The Cal State Fullerton men's basketball team led by three with 2:45 to go but couldn't quite hold on, falling 83-79 at UC Davis Saturday afternoon.
Tory San Antonio completed a three-point play and Lathaniel Bastian hit a pair of free throws to give the Titans a three-point lead, 72-69, with 2:45 left in the game. But the Aggies scored seven straight to take a 76-72 lead with 1:09 remaining. Fullerton hung around, with a Jalen Harris layup bringing the Titans within one, 79-78, with 11 seconds left. But UC Davis hit its free throws down the stretch to take the 83-79 win.
Fullerton got out to an early 6-3 lead to start the contest following an and-one dunk by Lee. A 10-2 run then put the Aggies on top before teams traded baskets, with three-pointers from Wrightsell Jr. and Carper giving the Titans a 20-18 advantage. UC Davis fought back to take a 34-27 lead, but a top-of-the-key trey from Harris and a corner three from Carper brought Fullerton within two, 39-37, at the break.
Grayson Carper making it rain ��#DevelopU | #TusksUp pic.twitter.com/LNGtmtZrRy
— Titans Men's Basketball (@FullertonMBB) January 14, 2023
The Aggies stretched their lead to 10, 51-41, three minutes into the second half. But the Titans used a 7-0 run capped by back-to-back layups from Max Jones to trim their deficit. Teams traded baskets, with a Harris jumper and another Carper three bringing Fullerton within two, 57-55, midway through the second half.
Jones completed his third three-point play opportunity of the game and San Antonio knocked down a pair of free throws to once again bring the Titans within two, 69-67, with 4:11 left on the clock. San Antonio then completed the three-point play to give Fullerton the lead, but the Aggies closed the game on a 14-7 run to seal the win.
COUNT IT @Kidxtory #DevelopU | #TusksUp pic.twitter.com/kwtLqYHAx6
— Titans Men's Basketball (@FullertonMBB) January 15, 2023
Harris had 19 points on 7-of-12 shooting along with five assists to lead the Titans. Jones contributed 17 points, five rebounds and a pair of assists while Carper had 12 points on 4-of-5 shooting. San Antonio posted a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds, while Latrell Wrightsell Jr. added nine points and nine rebounds.
Fullerton faces a quick turnaround as it returns to Titan Gym on Monday, January 16th, to take on CSU Bakersfield. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. PT.
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