FULLERTON, Calif. – Braun Hartfield scored 18 to lead three Toreros in double-figures while San Diego out-rebounded Cal State Fullerton by 18 as the Toreros beat the Titans, 66-54, on Wednesday at Titan Gym.
 
The Toreros (5-7) picked up their second win in a row behind Hartfield, who scored 15 of his 18 points in the first half, and a defense that not only out-rebounded the Titans (3-8) but also limited them to under 60 points and 35% shooting from the field (21-of-60).
 
Holding the Titans to 54 points was the second time in as many games the Toreros limited their opponent to under 60 and third time this season.
 
Joining Hartfield in double-figures was James Jean-Marie, who had a career-high 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting (2-of-3 3FG), and Marion Humphrey, who had 10 along with six rebounds and four assists.
 
The three double-digit scorers were also among a group of five Toreros that had six or more rebounds. Alex Floresca led the team with 10 while Yauhen Massalski had eight.
 
The +18 rebounding margin for the Toreros was a season-high and the fifth time this year they have out-rebounded their opponent, including in each of the last three.
 
Hartfield fueled the USD offense to start the game as he had the first nine Torero points and 11 of the first 14 as San Diego opened up a 14-9 lead eight minutes in. Hartfield opened the night 4-of-5 from the field while the rest of the team was 1-of-9.
 
While the Toreros had a 25-14 rebounding advantage in the first half they also held Cal State Fullerton to a 26.9% shooting percentage (7-of-26). The Titans only made one of their last 11 shots of the half and did not make a field goal for the final five-and-a-half minutes, missing its last six attempts. The Toreros, meanwhile, ended the first half on a 13-2 run.
 
The Toreros led for the entire second half, but they only made four of their first 15 shots from the field to allow Cal State Fullerton to pull as close as eight. However, the Toreros eventually stretched it to as much as 17 when Joey Calcaterra hit a three-pointer to make it 63-46 with 3:32 remaining.
 
The Toreros now return home for another matchup against a Big West opponent as they will host UC Davis on Saturday at the Jenny Craig Pavilion. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.
 
 
NOTES
USD is shooting 44.7% from the field (162-of-362) in the last six games.
 
This is the first time USD has held back-to-back opponents under 60 points since the 2019 WCC Tournament.
 
The Toreros have a +23 rebounding margin combined in the last three games.
 
Eight Toreros logged 13 or more minutes. All eight had at least two rebounds.
 
USD outscored Cal State Fullerton, 15-0, in second chance points.