Nov. 14, 2008

Box Score

Honolulu, HI - Gerard Anderson scored 20 second-half points but Cal State Fullerton's rally attempt came up short Friday night in a season-opening 76-66 loss to Texas State in the Verizon Wireless Tip-Off Classic at the University of Hawaii.

Anderson finished with 21 points for the Titans, who had four players foul out including senior guard Josh Akognon with 15:44 to play and 11 points. Aaron Thompson added 15 points and was the game's leading rebounder with 7 rebounds.

Guard Brent Benson led the Bobcats with 25 points and Emmanuel Bidias A'Moute came off the bench to score 18 points and grab 6 rebounds.

Texas State jumped out to a 6-1 lead and led the entire game. The halftime score was 40-23 and it was 45-25 early in the second half before the Titans closed to six points on a couple of occasions.

After Akognon fouled out, the Titans lost two post men in Ray Miller at 13:01 to play and Papa Guisse with 9:32 remaining. Marcio Lassiter went to the bench with 2:41 remaining.

Fouls weren't the only problem on opening night. Fullerton made only 2 of 19 3-point tries and committed 26 turnovers. The Titans shot only 37.5 percent from the floor and 59 percent from the foul line. They did win the battle of the backboards, 41-31.

Texas State made 17 of 21 free throws in the first half to help build the early lead. The Bobcats committed 22 turnovers and made only 4 of 15 treys while shooting 47 percent overall.

In a predetermined draw, Fullerton will play Hawaii on Sunday night at 7 p.m. PST while Texas State faces San Francisco at 4:30. Hawaii and USF play later Friday night.