Fullerton rallies and outlasts UC Riverside in opener

As coaches always say, the postseason is a season unto itself.

And that was certainly the case for the Cal State Fullerton women’s basketball team on Tuesday afternoon.

On the strength of an aggressive defense and some lightning from senior forward Joy Krupa, the ninthseeded Titans overcame an early 12-point deficit, drew close in the third quarter and dominated the fourth, holding eighth-seeded UC Riverside to three field goals in the final 10 minutes for a 55-51 victory in a first-round game of the Big West Tournament at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

Krupa had a career-high game with 16 points and 15 rebounds for the Titans (4-17), hitting 8 of 17 shots and adding four assists and three steals while playing all 40 minutes. Freshman Gabi Vidmar scored 13 points and hit three 3-pointers, Kathryn Neff added 10 points, and Anniken Frey hit two 3-pointers to start the fourth quarter and give the Titans their first lead.

They never gave it back. Krupa hit two inside baskets sandwiched around a Karissa Rodarte basket to open a five-point lead. Rodarte had nine points and nine rebounds.

“They really showed hearts and guts,” said Fullerton coach Jeff Harada, whose team advanced to a quarterfinal against top seed UC Davis (10-2) today at 11 a.m. “To compete the way they did after a tough first half. I just challenged them to show more energy at halftime, and Joy’s energy was contagious.”

“We knew we were a better team (than our record),” Krupa said afterward. “At halftime coach (Jeff Harada) told us to just be aggressive and stick together. Don’t be scared. Attack, attack, attack.”

It was a consummate team effort on a squad that dressed eight players but essentially played five. The Titans were 17-14 last season but they lost two starters before the season and injuries cost them two more. But even at the most difficult stretches of the season, Harada didn’t lose heart and made sure his players didn’t either.

“Cal State Fullerton has been playing its best basketball the last few weeks even without a few players,” said first-year UCR coach Nicole Powell, whose team shot 36.4% from the field. “They were the better team.”

Keilanei Cooper paced the Highlanders (7-11) with 19 points. Jordan Webster added 13 points, four rebounds and six steals, and Jada Holland had seven points, six assists and three steals. Fullerton had a 36-19 rebounding advantage and won despite its 28 turnovers (17 UCR steals).

“It was humbling,” said Cooper, who was named the Big West Freshman of the Year on Monday. “They played with more fire. They had more toughness at the end of the day. Over time we need to learn that.”