GAME NOTES: Out on the road for the second time in as many games to start off the 2014-15 season, the Cal State Fullerton Titans now focus their efforts on taking down the New Mexico Lobos in non-conference action in The Pit.

Fullerton, which plays at home only twice through the second week of December, began the campaign with a stop at Santa Clara on Friday night and came up short in an 89072 decision at the Leavey Center. Following tonight's outing the Titans return home to host the San Jose State Spartans next weekend in their home opener.

As for the Lobos, they are playing at home for the second in as many games as they throttled Idaho State on Friday night, 79-55. After this outing the team heads south to take part in the Puerto Rico Tip-Off, beginning with a Nov. 20 matchup versus Boston College.

The Titans won the only previous meeting between the programs, a 90-85 upset during the 1978 NCAA Tournament in Arizona.

The Titans dug themselves a huge hole in the first half against Santa Clara on Friday night, shooting a woeful 5-of-23 from the field through the first 20 minutes of action, including 2-of-10 behind the 3-point line. The visitors also hurt themselves with a 10-of-17 showing at the free-throw line as well, en route to a 40-22 deficit at the break.

The second half was much more favorable for the Titans as they connected on 17-of-35 from the floor and 7-of-13 beyond the arc, not to mention 9-of-11 at the charity stripe, but it all proved to be too little, too late. Lanerryl Johnson came off the bench to post a team-best 19 points, followed by Moses Morgan with 16, but the latter converted only 5-of-17 from the field. Alex Harris and Joe Boyd dropped in 12 points apiece in the setback as well.

Cullen Neal erupted for a game-high 26 points as the New Mexico Lobos leveled Idaho State by 24 points in non-conference action in The Pit two nights ago.

Neal converted 5-of-10 shots behind the 3-point line and 7-of-8 at the free- throw line for the Lobos as they kicked off the season on a positive note. Also scoring in double figures for the hosts were DeShawn Delaney and Obij Aget with 12 and 10 points, respectively, the latter also clearing 12 rebounds and blocking four shots. Hugh Greenwood shot just 3-of-12 from the floor, but still filled his stat line with eight points, 11 boards and seven assists.

New Mexico scored the first points of the night and never looked back, shooting 51.6 percent from the field in the first half, compared to just 28.6 percent for the visitors, en route to a commanding 42-20 advantage at the break.

The Titans will be the underdog in this meeting of course, but the margin by which they will fall will depend on how they open the game in The Pit. Should Fullerton come out flat as it did in the opener, it could be a very long night for the visitors.