HENDERSON, Nev. (Interstat) — The Hawaii Warriors used a dominant second half to defeat the Cal State Fullerton Titans 78-63 in a Big West Conference tournament game Friday at Dollar Loan Center. Hawaii led 29-21 at halftime before outscoring the Titans 49-42 after the break. Christian Williams led Cal State Fullerton with 21 points. Hawaii’s Isaac Johnson scored 19 points, and Harry Rouhliadeff added 16. Hawaii improved to 23-8 overall. Cal State Fullerton’s season ends with an 18-16 record. An announced crowd of 2,060 attended the neutral-site game.

HENDERSON, Nev. (Interstat) — In a game defined by a decisive second-half surge, the Hawaii Warriors pulled away from the Cal State Fullerton Titans for a 78-63 victory in a Big West Conference men’s basketball game Friday night at Dollar Loan Center. The Warriors, improving to 23-8 overall, used a balanced offensive attack and a stifling defensive effort after halftime to overcome a sluggish start and secure the win in front of a crowd of 2,060. The Titans, who had won three straight coming in, fell to 18-16. For much of the first half, Cal State Fullerton managed to hang tough. Despite Hawaii building an early 21-10 lead behind the interior presence of Isaac Johnson and the playmaking of Hunter Erickson, the Titans chipped away. A three-pointer from Christian Williams with 7:12 left in the half cut the deficit to 17-20, and the Titans trailed by just eight points, 29-21, at the intermission. The most important part of the game unfolded decisively in the opening minutes of the second half. Hawaii emerged from the locker room with renewed intensity, immediately extending its lead. A driving layup by Erickson and a three-pointer from Bryce Cofield for Fullerton kept the margin in single digits, but the Warriors then unleashed a game-breaking run. Fueled by transition opportunities and forced turnovers, Hawaii went on a 14-4 spurt over a four-minute span. The sequence featured a driving dunk by Dre Bullock, a layup from Harry Rouhliadeff, and capped by another Bullock dunk off a steal, pushing the Hawaii lead to 51-35 with 11:36 remaining. The Titans never recovered from that burst, as the Warriors’ lead ballooned to as many as 20 points. Cal State Fullerton’s offense, which mustered only 21 points in the first half, found slightly more rhythm after halftime but could not string together enough stops to mount a serious comeback. Christian Williams led all scorers with 21 points for the Titans, while Bailey Nunn added 11. Their efforts were consistently answered by the Warriors’ multifaceted scoring. Hawaii was led by Isaac Johnson, the 7-foot center from American Fork, Utah, who dominated inside for 19 points, three assists and a block in just 21 minutes of action. His efficiency set the tone. Forward Harry Rouhliadeff of Brisbane, Australia, provided a crucial double-double with 16 points and relentless work on the glass, while guard Hunter Erickson of Provo, Utah, filled the stat sheet with 10 points, five assists and two blocks. The Warriors’ backcourt duo of Dre Bullock and Isaiah Kerr also made significant contributions. Bullock finished with 11 points and three assists, and Kerr provided a spark off the bench with eight points and two assists, part of a Hawaii bench that outscored Fullerton’s reserves. Defensively, Hawaii disrupted the Titans’ flow throughout, recording eight steals and seven blocks. The Warriors converted 15 Cal State Fullerton turnovers into 19 points, highlighting the transition game that fueled their second-half separation. The victory continued a successful season for Hawaii, which entered as a 3.5-point favorite and surpassed the projected point total in a game where their defensive pressure ultimately proved too much for the Titans. Cal State Fullerton, which had edged Hawaii 85-87 in a thrilling contest just two weeks prior on its home floor, could not replicate that performance, seeing its three-game win streak snapped. The teams split their regular-season series, with each winning on their opponent’s home court during conference play. Hawaii now looks ahead to its regular-season finale, while Cal State Fullerton will turn its focus to the upcoming Big West tournament.

Preview: Cal State Fullerton vs. Hawaii in Big West Showdown HENDERSON, Nev. (Interstat) — A pivotal men’s NCAA Division I basketball matchup with postseason implications is set for Friday, March 13, 2026, as the Hawaii Warriors face the Cal State Fullerton Titans at the Dollar Loan Center. Hawaii (22-8) enters as the favorite, installed with a -3.5 point spread, and looks to rebound from a 75-84 home loss to Long Beach State on March 7. The Warriors boast a strong season record and previously edged the Titans 87-85 on Feb. 28. Guard Hunter Erickson, who scored 23 points in the recent loss, is a key facilitator. He dished out four assists in the February win over Fullerton. Cal State Fullerton (18-15) rides a three-game winning streak, including an 82-70 victory over UC Davis on Thursday. The Titans are led by guard Josh Ward, who poured in 24 points in that win. Ward was instrumental in the last meeting with Hawaii, scoring 16 points and handing out eight assists in the narrow defeat. His consistent scoring, including 20-plus points in three of his last six games, will be central to the Titans’ upset bid. The neutral-site game in Nevada, serving as a home contest for Hawaii, features an over/under of 157.5 points. Their last encounter surpassed that total, and both teams have shown offensive firepower. Hawaii averages 78.1 points per game, while Fullerton averages 77.9. The Warriors hold the season series edge, having also defeated Fullerton 69-59 in Honolulu on Dec. 6. A Hawaii win would solidify its standing near the top of the Big West Conference, while a resurgent Cal State Fullerton seeks to bolster its resume and avenge two close losses. Tipoff is scheduled for 9 p.m. PDT at the Dollar Loan Center.