Fullerton Gets 66-58 Overtime Win

Junior guard Richard Morton had a game-high 28 points, including six in overtime, to lead the Cal State Fullerton to a 66-58 victory Thursday night over New Mexico State, its fourth straight victory, and first in four tries on Aggies home floor.

Junior forward Derek Jones added 15 points, 8 rebounds and 6 blocked shots in Fullerton’s first victory on the road in more than a month, one the Titans desperately needed.

Fullerton is now 12-8 overall and 5-6. New Mexico State, with its first conference loss at home this season, falls to 10-12 and 4-7.

Fullerton had a 50-45 lead with 54 seconds left in regulation, but a three-point shot from the corner by Aggie forward Jeff McCool with 46 seconds remaining and a driving layup by Jock White with 15 seconds left sent the game into overtime.

In six-plus seasons under Coach George McQuarn, Fullerton had won 4 overtime games and lost 15. And none of those victories had come on the road.

The Titans appeared headed for another overtime loss when reserve forward Derek Hill of New Mexico State took a pass from Kenny Travis and went in for a dunk six seconds into overtime, than grabbed a loose ball and put in another dunk at the 3:42 mark to give the Aggies a 54-50 lead.

But Morton, who played all 45 minutes, went 10 of 20 from the field and hit 4 of 6 shots from three-point range, brought the Titans back. After Jones made two free throws to cut New Mexico State’s lead to 54-52, Morton hit a 19-foot jumper to tie it at 54 with 2:31 to play. With 1:47 left, he hit a 15-footer that gave Fullerton a lead it wouldn’t relinquish.

Oval Miller hit both ends of a one-and-one to give Fullerton a 60-56 lead at the 1:02 mark. Henry Turner, held to only 5 points on 1 of 12 shooting, and Morton each added two more free throws to secure the victory.

PCAA STANDINGS

Conference All Games W L W L Pct Nev. Las Vegas 10 0 22 1 .957 CSLB 7 4 12 11 .522 San Jose St. 7 5 11 10 .524 UCSB 5 5 10 9 .526 UC Irvine 6 6 11 10 .524 CS Full. 5 6 12 8 .600 Pacific 4 6 8 11 .421 N. Mexico St. 4 7 10 12 .455 Utah St. 4 7 11 12 .478 Fresno St. 2 8 7 14 .333