FULLERTON — With less than five minutes play and the Cal State Fullerton basketball team ahead by a lot, Latrell Wrightsell Jr. made an open 3-pointer from the top of the arc, looked at his bench and smiled.

It was just one of several moments when a grin flashed upon the face of the Titans’ leading scorer during the Titans’ 76-46 victory over Cal State Bakersfield on Monday night at Titan Gym.

“I’m just enjoying the moment,” Wrightsell said. “Seeing my teammates score the ball, seeing them have fun and stuff like that, that just brings me the most joy.”

Wrightsell, who entered the game tied for first in the conference in 3-pointers per game, fueled the win on both ends of the court. He led Fullerton with 18 points and was 4 for 8 from 3-point range to go with four assists and seven steals, playing a significant role in Fullerton (10-9 overall, 4-3 Big West) forcing 24 turnovers.

The defense turned into offense, with the Titans scoring 29 points off turnovers compared to four points for the Roadrunners (6-12, 2-5).

“That’s what we need to win games: Turning teams over and we’re not turning the ball over,” Wrightsell said.

Fullerton coach Dedrique Taylor said his players executed the game plan well. They were in the passing lanes, protected the paint and had active hands.

“That’s a credit to his off-ball activity,” Taylor said of Wrightsell’s seven steals. “I thought he did a really good job being in the gaps and getting his hands on basketballs, fueling our transition.”

The Titans pulled away early in the second half. Wrightsell and Max Jones made back-to-back 3-pointers, then Tory San Antonio made a layup plus the foul on the breakaway after a steal. Another 3-pointer by Wrightsell extended Fullerton’s lead to 17 less than four minutes into the second half.

Daeshawn Eaton made consecutive 3-pointers midway through the second half to stretch Fullerton’s lead to 22 points.

San Antonio added 13 points, making all three of his first-half field goal attempts. After scoring double-digits in just one in his first 15 games, San Antonio has now had 11 or more points in four straight games.

“It is very good to see him score because I know the work he puts in and I see it every day,” Wrightsell said of his teammate.

The Titans picked up the shooting in the second half, making 58% of their shots and better than 52% from dlong range after shooting at under 49% in the first half. Taylor said his players created more drive-and-kick 3-point opportunities in the second half and cashed in on good looks that they missed in the first half.

“This group stayed the course in terms of playing for each other and trying to create shots for each other,” Taylor said.

Fullerton, which entered the game having lost two in a row after winning three straight, got back over .500 in conference play. The Titans also improved to 8-1 at home this season.

Fullerton jumped out to a double-digit lead midway through the first half, with a strong dunk by Garrison Wade giving the Titans a 23-13 lead.

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Fullerton took a 27-19 lead into halftime.

Bakersfield, which was led by Antavion Collum (13 points), missed all five of its 3-point attempts in the first half. Neither team found much offense in the first 20 minutes, with both teams shooting below 40%.

Bakersfield entered the game leading the conference in scoring defense, allowing 60.6 points per game. But Fullerton received production up and down the roster, with five players finishing in double figures. Jones, Eaton and Wade joined Wrightsell and San Antonio.

“It’s a joy to see people get confidence out there,” Wrightsell Jr. said. “Because we need everybody, one through 16. No matter who’s playing, when everybody produces, we win big.

Taylor credited his team’s energy, playing its third game in six days with just one day off since losing at UC Davis.

“That’s what’s required to win games is to leave it all out there on the floor,” Taylor said. “And I told them they would like the end result.”