Ford, Gaels thrive in 1st half, prevail

Jordan Ford scored all 19 of his points in the first half to help propel St. Mary’s to a 21-point lead at the break and the Gaels held off Cal State Fullerton 81-66 at McKeon Pavilion on Monday night.

After losing four in a row, St. Mary’s (7-4) has won four straight.

Ford, a junior guard, was 7-for-9 from the floor — including 5-for-5 from threepoint range in the opening half, in which the Gaels led by as many as 23 points. It was 54-33 at halftime.

The Titans (3-7) cut their deficit to nine on a three-point play by Kyle Allman with 6:54 remaining, but they got no closer the rest of the way.

St. Mary’s got double-doubles from senior center Jordan Hunter (18 points and 10 rebounds) and sophomore guard Tommy Kuhse (11 points and 10 assists). Sophomore forward Malik Fitts also scored 18 points.

The Gaels next face LSU in Las Vegas on Saturday evening. Pacific Stockton, 74, Lafayette Long Beach Dorsey State scored 68: 31 In points to lead the Tigers (8-4) over the 49ers (3-9). Dorsey, a sophomore guard, went 9-for-14 from the floor and hit all 10 of his free-throw tries. Men’s poll: Kansas, the preseason No. 1, regained the top spot in the Associated Press Top 25 despite struggling to get past New Mexico State at home. Kansas received 57 first-place votes from a 65-person media panel in the poll released, moving into the top spot after previous No. 1 Gonzaga lost to Tennessee. No. 2 Duke moved up a spot and received four first-place votes. No. 3 Tennessee, No. 4 Gonzaga, No. 5 Michigan and No. 6 Virginia received the other first-place votes.