Fullerton Outlasts Fresno in Overtime

When Cal State Fullerton had a 10-3 record a month ago, the Titans were entertaining thoughts of a National Invitational Tournament bid.

Six losses and seven games later, Fullerton entered this week clinging to seventh place in the Big West, not looking like a sure bet to reach even the conference tournament.

But the Titans came up with two big home victories, including Saturday night’s 100-98 overtime victory over Fresno State, and are back in the thick of the Big West tournament picture.

Fullerton (13-9 overall, 6-7 in conference) took sole possession of fifth place and is 1 1/2 games behind third-place Utah State with five games left. Fresno State (10-12, 5-8) dropped to seventh place.

A crowd of 1,829 in Titan Gym saw Fullerton blow a 10-point second-half lead, come back from a six-point deficit with 5 1/2 minutes left in regulation.

Fullerton center Aaron Wilhite, still bothered by a knee injury, provided the winning points, tipping in missed shot and adding a free throw with 33 seconds left to give the Titans a 100-98 lead.

Fresno State had five shots in the final seconds, three of them attempted tips as time was running out. Titan forward J.D. Green grabbed a rebound with one second left to secure the win.

Joe Small scored 31 points, and Bruce Bowen had 19 points and 14 rebounds for the Titans.

Carl Ray Harris had 24 points for Fresno.