Titans’ Morton Hooks On With Pacers

Richard Morton, a former Cal State Fullerton basketball player, survived the last day of cuts to make the Indiana Pacers’ 12-man National Basketball Assn. roster.

The Pacers placed guard John Long on injured reserve, leaving Morton as the team’s fifth guard. Long will be out 5 to 7 games with a back injury.

In the meantime, Morton will play behind Reggie Miller, Vern Fleming, Scott Skiles and Everette Stephens.

“Coach (Jack) Ramsay told me that I played well throughout the preseason in the few minutes I got,” said Morton, who was signed as a free agent. “But I wasn’t sure what my chances were. They were either going to put Long on injured reserve or let me go.

“When Long comes back, I’ll worry about it then,” Morton went on. “It will depend on how well I’m playing at the time. I’m told I still have a good chance of making the roster.

“The coach said they were looking for a guy to come off the bench and play well.”

Morton was a 3-year starter at Fullerton. He is the Titans’ second all-time leading scorer with 1,705 points behind Leon Wood (1,876). Morton averaged 22 points per game last season.

The Pacers signed Morton as a free agent on Oct. 5.