SACRAMENTO -- Sacramento State nearly stormed back from a 14-point halftime deficit, and had two good looks in the final five seconds to win, but fell just short in a 62-60 loss to Cal State Fullerton on Saturday afternoon at the Nest.
The Hornets outscored the Titans, 33-21, after the break and spent the entire second half cutting into their halftime deficit. In fact, Sacramento State had already cut the deficit to three points (45-42) with 10:15 left after a
Brandon Betson 3-pointer.
Both teams battled back and forth the rest of the way, as Fullerton's lead was five points or less during the final 7:31 of game clock. Sacramento State, which never led in the second half, tied things at 60-60 with 41 seconds to play after a pair of Betson free throws.
The Hornets forced a miss on the other end with 15 seconds left, but the Titans pulled an offensive rebound, and Dominic Brewton hit 1-of-2 free throws to give the Titans a 61-60 lead. Sacramento State had two opportunities in the paint during the final five seconds, as
Akol Mawein missed a contested five-footer, followed by a missed tip-in from
Duncan Powell. The Titans grabbed the rebound with 0.3 seconds left, and Grayson Carper hit one free throw. The Hornets' desperation cross court pass hit a sea of hands as time expired, and the Titans (6-4) won their fourth straight game.
Both teams connected on 20 made field goals (CSF 47%, SAC 39%), the Hornets hit three more 3-balls, and the Titans connected on five more free throws. In fact, Fullerton took advantage of 28 trips to the free throw line (converting 19) compared to the Hornets going 14-for-19. Sacramento State held a 37-24 rebounding advantage, and received 31 of its 60 points from the bench. Fullerton shot 63% (15-24) in the first half to go into halftime up, 41-27.
Sacramento State was playing just its second home game of the season after opening with seven of its first eight away from home. The Hornets dropped to 2-7, and have seen four of their last five games decided by six points or less.
Powell led the Hornets with 13 points and nine rebounds, which included 10 points and seven boards in the second half alone. Four Sacramento State players scored in double figures - Betson 11 points (3-5 3FG),
Jacob Holt 10 points and six rebounds (three offensive), and
Austin Patterson 10 points and four rebounds.
Akol Mawein had eight points, four rebounds and two blocked shots, and
Zee Hamoda finished with five points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals.
Emil Skytta made his first start of the season, and played 19 minutes.
Kiir Kiir Chol Deng returned from injury to play his first game of the season.
For Cal State Fullerton, Brewton finished with a game-high 23 points, including five points in the final 2:20.
Sacramento State does not play next week because of Finals Week on campus, but will continue its three-game homestand on Dec. 18 vs. UC San Diego, and Dec. 21 vs. Bethesda. The Hornets open Big Sky Conference play on the road at Idaho on Dec. 28.
