STOCKTON, Calif.—Cal State Fullerton committed a season-high 33 turnovers, and Pacific had four players score in double-figures, as the Tigers raced by the Titans, 81-50, Thursday night at the Alex G. Spanos Center.
For the Titans (7-18, 3-10 Big West), the 31-point defeat marks their ninth straight loss. It also is Fullerton's largest ever loss at Pacific. On the other hand, the Tigers (20-6, 10-4 Big West) have now won two of their last three games, as they improved to a league-best 12-2 at home this season.
Gena Johnson led all scorers with 16 points on 6-of-8 shooting, while Shanice Butler and Erica McKenzie each poured in 15 points in the win. Kendall Rodriquez also chipped in with 11 points and six rebounds to round out the double-figure scorers for Pacific.
Mya Olivier led the way for Fullerton, scoring a season-high 14 points on an efficient 7-of-8 shooting, while also grabbing a team-high eight rebounds. Alex Thomas and Chante Miles each chipped in with seven points in the loss.
The Titans recorded seven turnovers within the first four minutes of the game and didn't score their first points until Olivier threw in a lay-up with 12:29 left to play in the first half. At that point Pacific had already raced out to a 15-0 lead.
Despite the season-high 18 first half turnovers, Fullerton was able to make a little bit of a run, at one point cutting the Pacific lead down to 10 points with 8:46 left to play in the first half, after Annie Park nailed a trey from the top of the circle.
However, Pacific stormed right back, taking advantage of every Titan mistake, scoring 31 of its 81 total points on the night off of Fullerton turnovers. The Tigers took a commanding 42-23 advantage into halftime. The deficit was tied for Fullerton's largest halftime deficit of the season.
The Titans went on an 8-2 run to start the second half to cut the Pacific lead down to 44-31, but wouldn't get any closer than that, as Pacific coasted to the finish line.
Fullerton will get back at it Saturday, as the Titans finish up their three-game road trip at UC Davis at 4 p.m.
Game Notes: Fullerton's 40.4 field goal percentage was its highest percentage since shooting 45.9 percent Jan. 24 vs. UC Irvine….the Titans' current nine-game losing streak is the school's