Ahmad, CS Fullerton hold off Loyola Marymount, 88-80

LOS ANGELES -- Khalil Ahmad scored 25 points and Cal State Fullerton won for the sixth time in its last seven games, topping Loyola Marymount 88-80 on Friday night.

The Titans had their five-game win streak snapped at California last weekend and their win in the 27th meeting with the Lions gives them the overall series lead 14-13.

Ahmad, the Big West Player of the Week earlier in December, hit 7 of 15 shots from the field and was a perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line. Jackson Rowe added 19 points and Arkim Robertson contributed 14 points and grabbed 13 rebounds.

The Titans (7-4) staked a 10-point lead at intermission on Ahmad's layup in the final minute

Loyola Marymount cut the Fullerton lead to five points on Jeffery McClendon's 3-pointer with six minutes left in the game, but the Titans answered a quick seven-point run.

James Batemon led the Lions (5-6) with 29 points.