Fullerton Goes Into Overdrive in Overtime to Defeat Fresno St.

Cal State Fullerton, lackluster for most of its game against Fresno State Saturday night, pulled everything together at the end and came away with a 64-57 Pacific Coast Athletic Assn. overtime victory in front of 2,130 fans at Titan Gym.

Fullerton needed a leaning shot in the lane from Henry Turner with three seconds remaining to send the game into overtime, but after that, it seemed easy.

On the first possession of overtime, Fullerton made one pass to Richard Morton, who hit a three-pointer. Fresno State turned the ball over on its first possession, and then the Titans’ Vincent Blow hit two free throws, giving Fullerton a five-point lead.

Fresno State didn’t score a basket until 1:25 remained in overtime. Fullerton had added a layup by Van Anderson, and made enough free throws to hold on.

Fresno State had extreme difficulty scoring late in the game, and scored only three points in overtime before Kevin Stevenson’s three-pointer at the buzzer.

The Titans (6-12, 2-7), who now have a season-high two-game winning streak, hadn’t won a close game all year. The narrowest margin of victory in Fullerton’s 5 wins had been 12 points. A number of the losses had been close.

Fullerton, which had been 5-17 in overtime games in Coach George McQuarn’s eight seasons at the school, played with more poise in the extra period than during regulation.

Fresno State fell to 5-13 overall, 2-7 in the PCAA.

What had been a lackluster game turned exciting with about five minutes to play in regulation.

Fresno State, which trailed by as many as six, came back to take a six-point lead. But then Richard Morton scored five straight points--including a three-pointer--cutting it to 50-49.

Andre Sims, a freshman guard made only one of two free throws with 32 seconds remaining, giving Fullerton a chance to tie the game.

Turner led all scorers with 25 points, and Richard Morton added 15 for the Titans. Mike Mitchell scored 17 to lead Fresno State.