Irvine Upsets Titans in Overtime, 78-69

UC Irvine, which lost six straight games to Orange County rival Cal State Fullerton despite the presence of such players as Johnny Rogers and Tod Murphy, completed a 1987 sweep of the Titans Saturday night with a motley cast of six and a dose of momentum that registered at less than zero.

Losers of four straight games and depleted by injury, the Anteaters were staring at the prospect of a lost season--and possibly not even a berth in the Pacific Coast Athletic Assn. tournament--before rising dramatically and surprisingly to upset Fullerton, 78-69, in overtime in front of a Bren Center crowd of 4,522.

Led by Scott Brooks, who had a three-point field goal and four free throws in the extra period, Irvine (12-12, 7-8) recorded its second victory in a month over Fullerton (13-10, 6-8). The Anteaters beat the Titans at Fullerton on Jan. 15, 76-70.

This time, the Anteaters needed help. They threw away another lead, blowing a six-point advantage with 1:10 left in regulation, due largely to Fullerton’s press and two resultant turnovers by Mike Hess. When Titan reserve guard Eugene Jackson sank a hanging jump shot over Brooks with five seconds remaining, the score was tied at 66-66.

Jackson also was fouled by Brooks on the play, sending him to the foul line with a chance to win the game after an Irvine timeout.

“I thought to myself, ‘I just lost the game,’ ” Brooks said. “I felt one-inch tall.”

Brooks, however, hadn’t taken into account Jackson’s somewhat less-than-proficient foul-shooting ability. A 35.7% foul shooter in conference games, Jackson had previously converted just 2 of his past 11 free throws.

Make that 2 for 12. Jackson’s attempt at a three-point play was short, kicking off the front of the rim and into the hands of Irvine guard Kevin Floyd, who clutched the ball, pumped once and hurried an outlet pass to Brooks. Brooks tossed up a 30-footer that beat the clock but didn’t beat Fullerton, bouncing long and bringing on overtime.

The Anteaters immediately fell behind, 69-66, in the extra period, with Brooks missing the front end of a one-and-one situation. But with 3:47 left, Brooks attempted a three-pointer from the right side. The ball went in, out, danced above the rim and finally fell through, forcing yet another tie at 69-69.

Irvine forward Frank Woods gave the Anteaters the lead with a 10-footer from the right side and then, the Titans, scrambling, started to foul. They sent Brooks to the line for four shots and Woods for two. Brooks made all four and Woods hit one to clinch the victory.

Brooks, whose foul at the end of regulation nearly extended Irvine’s losing streak to five games, suddenly was the recipient of handshakes and backslaps from happy teammates. Brooks scored seven of his 21 points in overtime.

“Thank God I had the opportunity to redeem myself,” he said. “When Jackson’s shot didn’t go in, I said, ‘I’m going to take advantage of these five minutes.’ ”

Irvine played 45 minutes and used just six players, Mike Doktorczyk serving as the lone reserve. The Anteaters were playing with just nine healthy bodies--with Joe Buchanan, Rob Doktorczyk and Mark Warren all out with illness or injury.

Brooks led Irvine with 21 points, followed by Woods with 17, Wayne Engelstad with 13 and Floyd with 11.

Fullerton received 22 from Richard Morton, 12 from Alexander Hamilton and 10 apiece from Henry Turner and Herman Webster. Turner left the game with 4:07 left in regulation with an injured ankle and never returned.

Saturday’s result left the weird PCAA standings in weirder shape. Only one game separates second place from ninth place. For the moment, Irvine is in fifth and Fullerton is tied for eighth.

“We just want to get into the tournament,” Irvine Coach Bill Mulligan said. “Today, going in, I didn’t know if we were going to make it. Hell, I still don’t know if we’re going to make it.

“But I can tell you winning is a lot more fun than losing. This rivalry (with Fullerton) is overrated, but winning isn’t underrated.”