FULLERTON, Calif. — Cal State Fullerton men's basketball defeated UC Santa Barbara 79-70 Saturday night at Titan Gym behind a 30-point performance from DJ Brewton. The result improves the Titans to 14-16 overall and 7-11 in Big West play.
"I thought we had great execution tonight from an X's and O's standpoint," Head Coach Dedrique Taylor said. "(Brewton) is playing at an unbelievable level, he's scoring the basketball and defending well. I think what you're seeing is an all around player."
Brewton reached 30 points on 12-of-23 shooting, including 4-of-7 from three. He added six boards, two assists and a pair of steals in 33 minutes of action. Tory San Antonio contributed 13 points and eight boards for Fullerton while Donovan Oday and Antwan Robinson both scored 12.
As a team, the Titans shot 50% from the floor to the Gauchos' 46.3% clip and out-rebounded UCSB 36-29. Fullerton also picked up 10 steals on the night to the Gauchos' three.
Both teams traded baskets early, with a San Antonio layup and Brewton jumper giving the Titans a 16-14 lead. Brewton and Robinson traded triples to later make it 26-19 Fullerton. The Gauchos came back within a point, before another pair of triples from Brewton and Robinson made it 35-29 for the Titans.
Brewton hit yet another triple, his fourth of the half, and a lay-in to reach 20 points through the first 20 minutes. Fullerton led 43-26 at the break.
UCSB came within three early in the second half before a trio of Brewton baskets pushed the Titans' lead back to nine. Fullerton kept the Gauchos at bay, with Oday completing a three-point play to make it 58-48 for the Titans. Baskets from Robinson, Oday and Vincent Lee on consecutive possessions pushed Fullerton's lead to 16, 64-48.
A John Mikey Square three-point play and a Brewton free throw matched the Titans' largest lead of the night, 73-56, with 4:26 to go. The Gauchos scored seven straight to cut Fullerton's lead to 10 but it wasn't enough. San Antonio knocked down three free throws and Brewton added one down the stretch to seal the Titans' 79-70 win.
Up next, Fullerton travels to take on UC Riverside next Thursday, Mar. 7, in its penultimate game of the regular season. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. PT.
NOTES
Tonight's win is Dedrique Taylor's 155th at the helm of the program, tying him with Bob Burton as Fullerton's all-time winningest head coach.
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