CSUN Drops 86-79 Decision at Cal State Fullerton

NORTHRIDGE, Calif.---Joshua O'Garro scored a career-high 28 points, but CSUN could not slow Cal State Fullerton in the second half in an 86-79 defeat on Saturday at Titan Gym. Josiah Davis chipped in with 15 points and four assists while Larry Hughes II had 13 points and James Evans Jr. scored 10 points. O'Garro posted his eight double-double of the season, grabbing 13 rebounds in the contest. Despite leading by nine at the half, the Matadors were outscored 55-39 in the second period.

HOW IT HAPPENED
CSUN would jump out to an 11-3 lead behind a pair of early baskets from O'Garro. The Titans were held without a field goal over a four-plus minute stretch in the first half, helping keep CSUN in front in the early minutes. Evans converted on a jumper at the 8:28 mark for a slim lead 19-13 lead. Moments later, the Matadors posted a 10-0 run with O'Garro scoring back-to-baskets and Evans drilling a three for a 29-15 lead. The Titans battled back to within seven after a 7-0 run, but O'Garro silenced the uprising with a three. O'Garro sank another three at the 1:56 mark, giving him 21 points in the half, while Hughes made an off-balanced shot a minute later to propel CSUN to a 40-31 lead at the break.

Davis opened the second half with a layup for a 42-31 Matador lead, however, the Titans would soon get to work offensively. Christian Williams scored the next five points for the Titans while he jumpstarted an 8-2 run with a three. A Davis layup gave CSUN some breathing room at 49-44 before Fullerton scored the next seven points to take the lead at 51-49 with 12:53 to go. Hughes evened the game up at the free throw line, but the Matadors would not retake the lead the rest of the way. The Titans went on a 10-0 run to take control with Jaden Henderson making it a 61-51 game on a layup. The lead swelled to 69-54 on another three, this time from Josh Ward. Hughes capped a 7-0 run that pulled CSUN to within 75-68, but the Titans answered with five straight points. Fullerton held off the Matadors in the final minute with three free throws and a dunk from Bryce Cofield.

NOTES OF THE GAME

CSUN falls to 10-8 overall and 3-3 in Big West play while Fullerton improves to 8-10 overall and 3-3 in conference.
The Matadors shot 46.4 percent for the game, hitting 9-of-27 threes (33.3 percent) and just 6-of-16 at the free throw line (37.5 percent). Powered by a big second half, the Titans shot 46.7 percent overall while making 11-of-27 threes (40.7 percent) and 19-of-28 free throws (67.9 percent).
Fullerton won the rebounding battle, 39-38.
The Matadors led 44-32 in points in the paint.
Mahmoud Fofana grabbed 10 rebounds to go with eight points.
CSUN slipped to 2-8 in games away from home this season.
For Cal State Fullerton, Williams had a team-high 21 points.

ACCORDING TO COACH ANDY NEWMAN
"Not a very good result. We didn't do a very good job today. It was a poor effort by everybody, top to bottom."

UP NEXT
CSUN stays on the road to take on UC San Diego on Thursday, Jan. 15 at 7 p.m. on ESPN+. Ghizal Hasan and Alan Zinsmeister are on the call at GoMatadors.com/Radio.

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CSUN Drops 86-79 Decision at Cal State Fullerton

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Team Stats

Joshua O'Garro

Josiah Davis

Larry Hughes II

James Evans Jr.

Players Mentioned

Josiah Davis

James Evans Jr.

Mahmoud Fofana

Larry Hughes II

Joshua O'Garro