Titans Pull Away from Biola in Second Half

Fullerton, Calif. - Josh Akognon scored 21 points and Frank Robinson added 15 Tuesday night to lead Cal State Fullerton to a 78-58 men's basketball exhibition victory over Biola University.

Box Score

Freshman guard Luke Duperron came off the bench to lead the NAIA Eagles with 17 points. Forwards Danny Jones and Rocky Hampton each tallied 9 points and Jones led all rebounders with 10.

Fullerton led by only 4 points at the half, 35-31, but opened the second half with a 21-8 surge over the first 8 minutes for a comfortable 17-point lead at 56-39. The Titans never trailed in the game after a 4-0 start but saw a 14-point first-half lead dwindle to 2 points on a couple of occasions, the last at 35-33 after Biola's Andrew Schroeder scored the first basket of the second half.

Josh Akognon, a transfer from Washington State playing for the first time since the 2005-06 season, hit 8 of 21 shots but only 3 of 12 from 3-point range. Frank Robinson scored 10 of his points in the second half on 4 of 6 shooting.

Fullerton made only 7 of 26 3-pointers (.269) for the game while the Eagles made only 2 of 14. Biola committed 23 turnovers as Fullerton extended its defense and came up with 15 steals.

Fullerton opens its regular season at home Friday night vs. Cal State Bakersfield. Biola opens its season on Nov. 16 in the Carroll College Tournament in Helena, Montana.