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Cal State Fullerton can’t escape early hole in loss to Portland

November 22, 2025

PORTLAND, Ore. — The Cal State Fullerton men’s basketball team fell into an early hole and couldn’t dig itself out in a 103-85 loss to tournament host Portland on Friday night at the Portland Invitational.

Fullerton fell behind by 22 points with nine minutes left in the first half and never could reel in a Pilots team that shot 63% from the field in the tournament opener for both teams.

Joshua Ward led the Titans (1-4) with 17 points and five rebounds while shooting 5 for 11 from the field (3 for 5 from 3-point range). Jaden Henderson added 15 points (3 for 6 from behind the arc) and a team-high eight assists, while Landon Seaman also scored 15 points on 7-of-13 shooting. Bryce Cofield added 11 points and six assists.

The backcourt duo of Joel Foxwell and Garrett Nuckolls combined for 44 points to pace Portland (4-1). Foxwell, a freshman from Australia, had a season-high 24 points, seven rebounds and four assists while shooting 9 for 13 from the field (5 for 8 from 3-point range). Nuckolls scored his 20 on 8-of-11 shooting to go with six rebounds and four assists.

Mikah Ballew added 18 points off the bench for Portland, while James O’Donnell chipped in 14 points and eight rebounds. Reserve Timo George contributed 14 points and six rebounds while shooting 6 for 6 from the field.

Foxwell and the Pilots used an early 13-0 run to set the tone to grab an 18-5 lead, then kept their foot on the accelerator to extend the gap to 33-11. The Titans, whose 11 first-half turnovers led to 20 Portland points, got back within 12 points before heading to the locker room down 57-42 at halftime.

Fullerton cut the deficit to 12 a few times early in the second half, but Portland responded each time. The Titans pulled within 88-77 on a pair of Ward free throws with less than seven minutes left, but the Pilots answered again and Foxwell beat the shot clock with an off-balance, 3-pointer for a 96-80 lead with 3:56 left to smother the comeback bid.

Portland outrebounded Fullerton 34-29, which contributed to the Pilots’ gaudy shooting percentage and their 52-36 advantage in points in the paint. Portland’s 63% from the field included an 11-for-21 showing from 3-point range, while the Titans shot 48% overall and 12 for 30 from behind the arc.

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Fullerton continues the three-day event with a game against St. Thomas on Saturday at 2:30 p.m.

Orange County Register

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Cal State Fullerton can’t escape early hole in loss to Portland

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