Fullerton Runs Over Bakersfield, 83-46

Cal State Fullerton found out Friday night what thousands of California motorists already knew--that Bakersfield is for driving through on your way to someplace else.

The Titans didn’t set their foot on the brake in their home opener against Cal State Bakersfield. They sped off to a fast start, set the cruise control and going until they had an 83-46 nonconference victory in front of 1,977 spectators in Titan Gym.

The game was as lopsided as the final score would indicate. It took Bakersfield more than five minutes to score. By halftime, the Roadrunners had almost as many turnovers (14) as points (15). They attempted 23 shots from the field in the first half and made four of them. The Titans had a 40-15 halftime lead and coasted from there.

Center Herman Webster led theTitans with 15 points, while forward Henry Turner added 14 points, 7 rebounds and 5 steals.

It was enough to make Bakersfield Coach Jim Parks wonder if his NCAA Division II team had a case of the jitters having to face a Division I opponent.

“I think it’s clear we didn’t get a good shot in the first eight minutes or so,� Parks said. “I thought we were a little nervous at the start, and I think a lot of it was (because of) the Division I atmosphere.�