March 5, 2011
Davis, Calif. -
Senior Devon Peltier scored 25 points and freshman Isiah Umipig had a season's high 23 Saturday night to lead Cal State Fullerton to an 87-82 Big West Conference victory at UC Davis.
The win improved Fullerton's record to 11-19 and 7-9 and earned it the No. 6 seed in next week's BWC post-season tourney. UC Davis finished its season 10-20, 4-12.
Senior Mark Payne concluded his Davis career with a game-high 28 points and Ryan Sypkens added 22 points. Josh Ritchart had 15 points and 8 rebounds. Perry Webster had 11 points and 5 assists for the Titans and Andre Hardy had a game-high 12 rebounds and 8 points.
Fullerton came from behind at the half, 48-47, to win for only the third time all season and won only its fourth road game of the year in 18 tries. The Titans trailed by as many as 14 points at 35-21 before a 26-11 run gave them a short-lived lead. The second half went back-and-forth with 7 lead changes. Davis' biggest margin was 6 points at 56-50 with 18:14 to play. Fullerton took the lead for good at the 3:35 mark on a Peltier bucket and twice pulled ahead by 7.
Each team made 12 3-point baskets, for Fullerton a season high. Both teams shot 23 free throws with Fullerton making 19 to 16 by UC Davis.
Fullerton will play No. 3 seed Cal State Northridge in the second game of a 6 p.m. doubleheader in the opening round of the tourney at the Honda Center in Anaheim. Northridge swept the season series.