Cal State Fullerton Defeats UCSB in Impressive Big West Performance

Cal State Fullerton delivered a strong statement in its Big West Conference matchup by defeating UC Santa Barbara 94-85 on March 14, 2024. The Titans maintained a commanding double-digit lead for most of the game, showcasing their potential despite being projected to finish last in the preseason poll. This victory marks a significant turnaround for Fullerton, which now holds a record of 6-9 overall and 1-2 in conference play.

The Titans jumped out to an early 16-2 lead, putting UCSB on the defensive from the outset. Fullerton’s coach, Dedrique Taylor, praised the performance, noting, “That’s a good ballclub. For us to do what we did to them is an anomaly.” UCSB, which was expected to compete for the top spot in the conference, struggled under pressure, committing 24 turnovers that directly 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 marks his third 20-point game in five outings, a significant improvement over his previous season at Valparaiso, where he averaged 10.1 points per game. “Coach believes in me and my teammates believe in me and I also believe in myself,” De La Cruz Monegro stated, reflecting on his growing confidence.

Alongside De La Cruz Monegro, KJ Garris contributed 18 points off the bench, while freshman guards Christian Williams and Bryce Cofield added 17 points each. Garris emphasized the importance of mental and physical preparation, saying, “Also, my teammates, just keeping me going.”

After losing their first two conference games by narrow margins, Fullerton rebounded impressively with a non-conference victory over Denver and a close contest against Oklahoma State. Despite a heavy defeat to SMU in their last outing, the Titans returned to form against UCSB, capitalizing on their opponents’ mistakes and dominating the game.

Fullerton led by as many as 21 points in the first half before concluding the period with a 50-36 advantage. UCSB attempted to mount a comeback, narrowing the gap to 67-59 with a three-pointer from Zion Sensley with just over ten minutes remaining. However, Fullerton responded with a quick 7-0 run, re-establishing a 15-point lead that UCSB could not recover from.

“Their pride as a program and their talent meant we expected a fight from them,” Taylor noted after the game. Fullerton’s efficiency at the free-throw line was a key factor in their success, finishing 30 for 37, compared to UCSB’s perfect 10 for 10.

UCSB’s Aidan Mahaney, a former standout at Connecticut, scored 23 points, with 15 coming in the first half. Despite their shooting prowess from three-point range, where they outscored Fullerton 42-15, the Gauchos could not overcome the turnover deficit. Other notable contributions for UCSB included CJ Shaw with 18 points and Hosana Kitenge with 16, although Kitenge fouled out with 6:25 left in the game.

Looking ahead, Cal State Fullerton is set to face first-place UC Irvine in their next game, while UCSB will travel to Cal State Northridge. Coach Taylor’s emphasis on competition and learning from losses appears to be paying off as the Titans demonstrate their potential in the Big West Conference.