Home Streak Comes to an End as UC Davis Holds Off Cal State Fullerton :: Pruitt Scores 18 Points to Lead Four Titans in Double Figures

Jan. 28, 2006

FULLERTON, CA - Cal State Fullerton senior Amber Pruitt scored a team-high 18 points and led three other Titans in double figures, but it wasn't enough as Fullerton's comeback fell short in a 75-71 loss to UC Davis on Saturday afternoon in a non-conference game at Titan Gym.

The Titans' six-game home winning streak came to an end as they fell to 6-13 overall on the season, losing on their home court for the first time since December 1. The Aggies upped their winning streak to four games and stand at 11-9 overall on the season.

Fullerton trailed by by as many as 13 points early in the second half, and slowly whittled a 12-point UC Davis lead down to just four points thanks to a 20-9 run capped by an India McDaniel three-pointer with 2:35 remaining in the game.

Four points from UC Davis' Jackie Turpin sandwiched around a pair from the line by Fullerton's Audrey Taylor upped the Aggies' lead back to three points with 26 seconds left, but the Titans wouldn't go away.

On the Titans' next possession downcourt, junior Andrea Adams spotted up for a three-pointer from the right elbow, but was fouled in the process, sending her to the line for three free throws. Adams made the first two before a UC Davis timeout, but missed the third and the Titans couldn't corral the rebound, forcing Fullerton to foul.

UC Davis then hit three of its final four from the line in the final 14 seconds to ice the win.

Cal State Fullerton opened the game on fire, hitting its first six shots from the field and seven of its first eight to jump out to a 17-7 lead. The Titans led by nine points at the first media timeout, but then went cold from the floor to allow the Aggies to get back in the game.

UC Davis exploded for a 13-4 run to take its first lead of the game at 24-22 and, after senior Amber Pruitt tied it with a basket inside, then turned up the heat defensively, holding the Titans scoreless for the next four-plus minutes and closing out the first half with a 20-6 run to lead, 44-34, at the break.

Pruitt was 7-of-10 from the field, including a pair of three-pointers, while grabbing five rebounds. She was joined in double figures by freshman Toni Thomas, who netted a double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds. Junior Charlee Underwood added 12 points and six rebounds, and Taylor finished with 10 points.

UC Davis was led by Lara Gray's game-high 23 points as she hit for 8-of-16 from the field and five three-pointers. Ellen Porshneva finished with 20 points while Jackie Turpin added 17.

Both teams shot close to 45 percent from the field while the Titans held a 39-28 advantage on the boards. However, the Aggies defense forced the Titans into 22 turnovers, leading to 28 UC Davis points.

Fullerton continues its homestand next week as the Titans resume Big West Conference play against UC Irvine on Thursday (Feb. 2) at 7 p.m.