FULLERTON, Calif. — Cal State Fullerton men's basketball hung tough with No. 17 San Diego State before falling 83-57 on the road Monday night in its season opener. 

"San Diego State is a really great basketball team," said Cal State Fullerton Head Coach Dedrique Taylor. "I thought there were times where we had a chance to exert our dominance, but we didn't always respond the right way. I love playing San Diego State because they give you a direction in terms of what you need to address with your ball club."

DJ Brewton led the Titans with 13 points, six assists, four steals and two rebounds in a team-high 34 minutes of action. Max Jones had 11 points and eight rebounds while Donovan Oday also reached double figures in scoring with 10 points, two rebounds and a pair of steals. 

Despite shooting 33% from the floor to the Aztecs' 45% clip, the Titans out-paced SDSU in offensive rebounds (13-11), second-chance points (12-7) and bench points (17-7). 

After falling behind 14-0 in the opening minutes of the game, Fullerton clawed its way back with a Vince Lee dunk and Oday lay-in capping a 7-0 run. Kendrick De Luna scored in the paint and a Jones triple then brought the score to 19-14 midway through the half. 

Brewton hit a trey of his own before Jones nailed another triple later in the half. Grayson Carper slammed home a one-handed dunk following a De Luna block as the Titans trailed by just two at the half, 37-35. 

SDSU once again came out quick to start the second half, though, taking a 54-42 lead five minutes in and forcing a Titan timeout. Oday, Beril Kabamba and Brewton scored baskets in the paint but the Aztecs extended their lead to 72-52 with 7:33 left. Brewton and Oday each scored transition layups down the stretch but SDSU came away with the 83-57 win. 

Up next, the Titans face La Sierra at Titan Gym on Saturday, Nov. 11, at 7:30 p.m. PT for their home opener. 

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