Cal State Fullerton defeated California State University, Bakersfield 88-80 on Saturday, a margin of eight points that belies the competitive nature of the contest. The first half was closely contested, with Cal State Bakersfield holding a slim 42-41 advantage at the break. Fullerton, however, outscored the Roadrunners 47-38 in the second half to secure the victory. Given the narrow margin, it is clear that this game was decided by a possession or two, with the Titans ultimately making the plays necessary to come out on top.
The eight-point margin of victory is notable, particularly when considering the relative strengths of the two teams. Cal State Fullerton, ranked 197 in the NET rankings, was expected to have an edge over Cal State Bakersfield, which sits at 326. While the Roadrunners were able to stay competitive throughout, Fullerton's slight advantage in the second half proved to be the difference. As the game wore on, the Titans were able to assert themselves, outscoring Bakersfield by nine points in the final 20 minutes to secure the win.
The top performers for Cal State Fullerton were instrumental in securing the 88-80 victory over Cal State Bakersfield. Joshua Ward led the charge with 21 points, complemented by 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and a block. His efficient shooting was a notable aspect of his performance, as he converted 7 of 11 field goals, including 4 of 6 from beyond the three-point line. KJ Garris also made a significant impact, scoring 19 points and grabbing 5 rebounds, with his outside shooting being a key factor, as he made 6 of 9 three-point attempts.
Kendrick De Luna rounded out the top trio of performers for Cal State Fullerton, contributing 13 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists. De Luna's shooting was also a highlight, as he made 5 of 9 field goals, and 3 of 5 free throws. The collective efforts of these three players were crucial in Cal State Fullerton's win, as they combined for 53 points, nearly 60% of the team's total output. Their balanced statistical lines and efficient shooting were key factors in the team's success, and their performances will be important to build upon in future games.
The top performers for Cal State Bakersfield were ultimately unable to propel their team to victory, despite putting up respectable numbers. Dailin Smith led the way with 21 points, albeit on 6-17 shooting from the field, highlighting the inefficiencies that plagued the team's offense. Tom Mark added 17 points and 7 rebounds, showcasing his ability to score and rebound, but his lack of playmaking was notable, with no assists to his name.
CJ Hardy chipped in with 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists, demonstrating a more well-rounded game than his teammates. However, his 6-15 shooting from the field was emblematic of the team's broader struggles with consistency. Despite these individual efforts, Cal State Bakersfield was unable to overcome the strong performance from Cal State Fullerton, ultimately falling short by 8 points. The team's inability to get more from their supporting cast, combined with the inefficient shooting from their top scorers, proved to be too much to overcome.
Bailey Nunn and Bentley Waller delivered performances that notably deviated from their season averages, with Nunn's point and assist totals increasing by 4.9 and 4.6, respectively, while Waller's point production surged by 9.9. Nunn's assist numbers were particularly striking, as he more than quadrupled his average, suggesting an increased role in the team's offense. In contrast, Waller's scoring explosion, which more than quadrupled his season average, was a significant anomaly, and his rebounding numbers also saw a substantial increase, doubling his average.
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Final
The pre-game prediction of a Cal State Fullerton victory by nearly nine points proved to be largely accurate, as the team ultimately emerged with an eight-point win. While the margin of victory was slightly narrower than anticipated, the outcome itself was correctly forecasted. This suggests that the underlying factors that were expected to contribute to a Fullerton win did indeed play out as anticipated, even if the exact point differential was not precisely matched.
A closer examination of the team statistics reveals that the decisive factors in this game were Cal State Fullerton's exceptional shooting efficiency and their ability to limit Cal State Bakersfield's offensive rebounding opportunities. The Titans' eFG% of 63.8% was a significant departure from their season average, indicating a notably strong shooting performance. Meanwhile, the Roadrunners' struggles to secure offensive rebounds, with an OREB rate of 21.9% that fell short of their season average, limited their ability to generate second-chance scoring opportunities and ultimately hindered their capacity to keep pace with Fullerton's high-powered offense.
The outcome of this contest has significant implications for the NCAA Tournament aspirations of both programs, albeit in differing capacities. For Cal State Fullerton, the victory bolstered their resume, potentially positioning them for a double-digit seeding in the tournament, should they ultimately receive a bid. Their overall record, now 15-14, and NET ranking of #197, suggest they may be vying for a 12-seed or lower, contingent upon their performance in their conference tournament. Conversely, Cal State Bakersfield's loss further diminishes their already faint tournament hopes, as their 8-20 record and #326 NET ranking render them a long shot for even a postseason berth. With their lackluster performance against Quad 1 and 2 opponents, it is increasingly evident that Cal State Bakersfield's season will conclude without a tournament appearance, a stark reality underscored by the fact that they are now running out of opportunities to redeem themselves.