Cal State Fullerton Defeats UCSB 94-85 in Big West Showdown

Cal State Fullerton showcased its potential with a decisive 94-85 victory over UC Santa Barbara on December 14, 2023, at Titan Gym. The Titans, who were projected to finish last in the Big West Conference, displayed resilience and skill throughout the match, maintaining a double-digit lead for much of the game.

Fullerton’s head coach, Dedrique Taylor, praised the quality of the opposition, calling UCSB “a good ballclub.” He acknowledged the significance of the win, especially given Fullerton’s underdog status heading into the season. The victory marks a turning point for the Titans, now holding a record of 6-9 overall and 1-2 in Big West play.

UCSB, considered a strong contender in the conference, faced an uphill battle from the start. The Titans surged ahead with a stunning 16-2 lead within the first five minutes, a lead that proved insurmountable for the Gauchos. UCSB struggled with turnovers, committing 24 that resulted in 42 points for Fullerton.

Leading the charge for the Titans was Jefferson De La Cruz Monegro, who scored 25 points and made all 14 of his free-throw attempts. This performance is part of a recent trend, as he has recorded three 20-point games in the last five outings. “Coach believes in me, and my teammates believe in me, and I also believe in myself,” De La Cruz Monegro stated after the game.

In addition to De La Cruz Monegro’s stellar performance, KJ Garris contributed significantly off the bench with 18 points, while freshmen Christian Williams and Bryce Cofield each added 17. Garris credited his teammates for their support, stating, “Just preparing myself mentally, physically. Also, my teammates, just keeping me going.”

The Titans had previously faced challenges in their Big West campaign, losing their first two games by narrow margins. They rebounded with a strong victory over Denver, winning 105-86, before narrowly losing to Oklahoma State 94-89. Despite a disappointing loss to SMU, the team returned to form against UCSB, fueled by their ability to capitalize on turnovers.

Fullerton’s dominance continued as they led by as many as 21 points in the first half, closing out the first period with a 50-36 advantage. The Gauchos, led by Aidan Mahaney, attempted to mount a comeback, reducing the margin to single digits with a three-pointer at 67-59. However, Fullerton responded immediately with a 7-0 run, re-establishing a comfortable cushion.

Mahaney, who had a notable performance with 23 points, managed to score 15 of those in the first half. Despite his efforts, UCSB could not overcome the significant turnover deficit. Other key contributors for the Gauchos included CJ Shaw with 18 points, Hosana Kitenge with 16 points, and Zion Sensley, who recorded 14 points and 11 rebounds.

Looking ahead, Fullerton will face the conference-leading UC Irvine on Saturday, December 16, 2023. Coach Taylor expressed pride in his team’s performance, noting, “They’re competing and they’re learning through competing. This group came out and competed and executed from a defensive standpoint.” The Titans will aim to build on this momentum as they continue their Big West campaign.