Cal State Fullerton sophomore Charlee Underwood had 16 points to led three
other players in double figures as the Titans snapped a 15-game losing
streak to Pacific thanks to an 80-59 victory on Thursday night at the
Spanos Center.
The Titans improved to 7-19 overall (5-12 in the Big West Conference)
and, in the process, won for the first time in the series with the Tigers
since Jan. 24, 1998 (65-57 in overtime) and snapped a 13-year skid in
Stockton since Fullerton's 69-68 win on Feb. 1, 1992.
Cal State Fullerton's Big West Conference Tournament berth hopes are on
hold, however, as Cal Poly defeated Long Beach State, 66-60, and UC Irvine
lost to UC Santa Barbara, 79-53, to forge a three-way tie for seventh
in the league.
The Titans need a victory over Cal State Northridge on Saturday or a Mustangs'
loss to the Anteaters that same night, to earn a trip to the conference
tournament.
Underwood was joined in double figures by Andrea Adams, who added 15 points,
Amber Pruitt came off the bench with 13 points, and Melanie Mosley finished
with 10 points and eight rebounds. The 80 points were the most since putting
up 83 points in a two-point win over Cal Poly at Titan Gym on Jan. 29,
2004.
Fullerton led by 11 points at the break at 44-33 after shooting a blistering
58 percent from the field. Pacific closed to within nine points with 16:50
remaining, but an 8-2 run by the Titans opened up a 15-point lead and
Fullerton never looked back, leading by as many as 26 points with just
over two minutes left.
The Titans shot just under 48 percent for the game and played tough defense,
amassing 15 steals on the night.
Pacific was led by Carolina Ruiz, who had 14 points, and Tina Sanerivi,
who had 11 rebounds.
The Titans close out the 2004-05 season on Saturday as Fullerton travels
to Southern California rival Cal State Northridge for a 7 p.m. tip-off
at The Matadome.
In a change from the previously posted weekly release, the game from Northridge
will be broadcast live over the Internet at www.titansports.org with Patrick
Alog handling the call.
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