FULLERTON, Calif. — Cal State Fullerton men's basketball came up just short against Long Beach State at Titan Gym Thursday night, falling 70-67. The loss moves the Titans to 12-12 on the year and 6-6 in Big West play.
"Long Beach played really well tonight," said Cal State Fullerton Head Coach Dedrique Taylor. "We weren't able to take advantage of the energy from the crowd. They jumped out on us early and we clawed our way back by playing our brand of basketball, but it just wasn't enough tonight."
Trailing 68-65 with 1:49 to go, Jones drove to the hoop for a reverse lay-in to bring Fullerton within a point.
In his bag �� @Max_jones23 #DevelopU | #TusksUp pic.twitter.com/p1oaxMPVKR
— Titans Men's Basketball (@FullertonMBB) February 3, 2023
But the Beach's Lassina Traore scored a layup with 1:05 remaining to put Long Beach back up three, 70-67. Jones had a couple of looks on the ensuing possession but couldn't get them to fall. After then getting a stop on defense, Wrightsell Jr. missed a would-be game-tying three as the clock expired, giving Fullerton the 70-67 loss.
Jones scored a Fullerton career-high 19 points on 6-of-11 shooting, while Wrightsell Jr. added 18 points, six rebounds and two assists. Vincent Lee had seven points and seven rebounds and Grayson Carper contributed nine points and four boards.
The Beach got out to a quick start in the game, taking a 13-3 advantage four minutes in. Jones hit a three and Wrightsell Jr. knocked down a pair from deep to bring Fullerton within five, 17-12. Long Beach State extended its lead back to nine before five straight points on back-to-back possessions cut the Titans' deficit to four, 26-22. A Jones jumper and Lee dunk highlighted a 6-0 Fullerton run to end the half, bringing the score to 39-37 for the Beach at the break.
.@LJWrightsell finds @vincemikelee ��#DevelopU | #TusksUp pic.twitter.com/HLgG8W8c5G
— Titans Men's Basketball (@FullertonMBB) February 3, 2023
Teams traded baskets to start the second half, with a Grayson Carper triple giving the Titans a 50-48 advantage. Carper hit two more shots from deep as Fullerton took a 56-55 advantage with nine minutes to go. Jones got to the hoop for a lay-in as the Titans then went up three, 58-55.
Lee hit a shot in the paint to put Fullerton up 60-59 with 6:23. But Long Beach State took the lead for good at the 6:08 mark, extending it to four, 66-62, with 4:21 left. Fullerton hung around, with a Wrightsell Jr. fadeaway jumper and a Lee free throw bringing the score to 68-65 for the Beach. Jones' layup with 1:49 left brought the Titans within a point, 68-67, but Long Beach State went on to secure the 70-67 win.
Fullerton remains at home Saturday, February 4th, to take on UC Riverside. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. PT.
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