Brown Leads Fullerton Past Chicago State, 88-80

Jamal Brown recorded his first double-double of the season, scoring a career-high 30 points to go with 13 rebounds while leading Cal State Fullerton to an 88-80 victory Friday night over Chicago State in the first round of the San Francisco Invitational.

The Titans (4-1) nearly squandered an 18-point lead in the final four minutes.

The Cougars (1-4) scored 14 consecutive points to pull to within 82-78 on two free throws by Royce Parran with 1:41 left before Brown made four free throws down the stretch to clinch the victory.

The Titans play San Francisco, which beat New Mexico State, 74-64, for the tournament championship tonight.

Fullerton is off to its best start since 1998-99 and is seeking to record consecutive winning seasons for the first time in 20 years.

The Titans, preseason favorites to win the Big West Conference, went 21-11 last season in Bob Burton’s second year as coach.

Parran finished with a game-high 35 points and six rebounds for the Cougars, who are in the middle of a season-opening 13-game trip.

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Six players scored in double figures, led by Eshaya Murphy’s 20 points, as the USC women cruised to a 97-69 nonconference victory over Cal State Northridge at the Sports Arena.

The Trojans (5-2) led by as many as 39 points, at 6:27 of the second half. Forward Jazelle Burries led the Matadors (1-7) with 21 points and 11 rebounds.