SACRAMENTO — DJ Brewton had a career-high 23 points and Cal State Fullerton held on to defeat host Sacramento State, 62-60, on Saturday afternoon for its fourth straight win.
Brewton shot 9 for 17 from the field to go with five rebounds and a blocked shot in 35 minutes for the Titans (6-4). Max Jones added eight points and four steals, while Tory San Antonio had eight points in his first game back from injury this season.
Fullerton shot 62.5% in the first half and 47% overall while holding the Hornets (2-7) to 39% shooting for the game.
For the second consecutive game, Brewton scored timely baskets down the stretch to help the Titans hold on for the win. After leading by 14 at halftime, Fullerton saw its lead whittled to three points before a Brewton basket made it 53-48 with 6:16 left.
With 2:48 remaining, Sacramento cut the margin to one point before Brewton again knocked down a jumper for a 59-56 lead. The Hornets finally tied the score at 60-all on a pair of Brandon Betson free throws with 41 seconds left, but Brewton came through on the offensive glass to get Fullerton the lead again. He missed a jumper with 15 seconds left but got his own rebound and was fouled with 14 seconds left. He made one of two free throws for a 61-60 lead.
Sacramento had two opportunities at a potential game-winning shot in the paint during the final five seconds, but Akol Mawein missed a contested 5-footer, followed by a missed tip-in from Duncan Powell. The Titans secured a rebound with 0.3 seconds left, and Grayson Carper then hit one of two free throws. The Hornets’ desperation cross-court pass then hit a sea of hands as time expired, and the Titans held on.
Fullerton dominated the first half, as San Antonio hit a pair of jumpers, Jones added a 3-pointer and Brewton completed a three-point play to cap a 13-0 run for a 19-7 lead. San Antonio scored down low, Carper (seven points, five rebounds) hit a 3-pointer and Brewton scored just before halftime to give Fullerton a 41-27 lead at the break.
The Titans were outscored 33-21 after halftime as they watched their lead dwindle. Sacramento used a 15-4 run to get within 45-42 midway through the period. Despite the Hornets keeping things tight down the stretch, the Titans never surrendered the lead.
Powell paced the Hornets with 13 points and nine rebounds, while Betson had 11 points and Jacob Holt added 10 points and six rebounds and Austin Patterson had 10 points.
Sacramento had a 37-24 rebounding advantage but turned it over 17 times.
UP NEXT
Fullerton travels to Idaho to take on Boise State on Sunday, Dec. 17, at 1 p.m. PT.
