Titans Hit Their Stride, and Upset UNLV : Basketball: Last-place Fullerton successfully holds off Rebel runs in 84-75 victory at Las Vegas.

Danny Robinson’s miracle, a 94-foot swish that came a split second after the halftime buzzer sounded and didn’t count, likely will earn him air time on sports highlight shows across the nation today.

But his clutch three-pointer from a mere 21 feet with 2 minutes 24 seconds left did count, and though it won’t make ESPN’s SportsCenter, it was the shot that helped push last-place Fullerton to an 84-75 upset of Nevada Las Vegas in front of 4,204 Thursday night at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Robinson’s three-pointer gave Fullerton a 68-61 lead, which the Titans (6-16, 4-10 in the Big West Conference) held on the strength of Greg Vernon’s outstanding play in the final 2:03.

Vernon made seven of eight free throws and one field goal down the stretch to hold off the Rebels (10-11, 6-7) and lead the Titans to their first victory in the Thomas & Mack Center and first victory in Las Vegas. Fullerton was 0-10 in this building entering the game and now trails the series with UNLV, 30-5.

“When this team comes together and hits on all cylinders, we can compete with anyone in the conference,” said Titan Coach Brad Holland, who had the flu. “It was a total team effort. Right now I’m running on adrenaline. I don’t even feel like I have the flu.”

UNLV led, 34-32, at halftime, but Fullerton opened the second half with nine consecutive points to take a 41-34 lead. The Rebels closed to within 49-48 with 12:15 left, but never were able to take a lead.

The Rebels did make several runs at the Titans, but Fullerton always had a response. With about six minutes left and Fullerton clinging to a two-point lead, Josh King made a tough, inside shot in traffic, and Vernon sank a three- pointer from the top of the key to make it 62-55 with 5:30 left.

Reggie Manuel’s three-pointer cut it to 63-60 with 3:24 left, but Winston Peterson sank an inside shot to make it 65-60. Manuel’s drive and basket and Dedan Thomas’ steal and basket made it 70-67 with 1:32 left, and Rebel fans sensed a comeback.

But Thomas was whistled for a delay-of-game technical foul after his basket, and Vernon sank both free throws on the other end to make it 72-67. Damian Smith’s three-pointer failed to hit the rim for UNLV, and Vernon sank another two free throws for a 74-67 lead.

Chris St. Clair then got into the free-throw party, making two for a comfortable, 76-67 lead with 1:10 to play, but UNLV got no closer than six points in the final minutes.

Vernon finished with 20 points, including 16 in the second half, King had 13 points, and David Frigout and St. Clair each had 12 for the Titans. Vernon made 12 of 14 free throws. Vernon missed his last three field goals as Fullerton blew a seven-point lead with 50 seconds left and lost in overtime to University of the Pacific on Jan. 22.

“It hasn’t sunk in yet,” Vernon said after the game. “I can’t believe it. That was the most I’ve ever been focused. I remember what happened against Pacific, and I wasn’t going to let that happen again.”

Manuel finished with 19 points, Kebu Stewart had 15 points and 15 rebounds, and Thomas had 14 points and eight assists for UNLV, which shot only 40.7% from the field. The Titans shot 44.8%.

Peterson sat out the first game against UNLV--a 77-66 loss in Titan Gym Jan. 5--because of the flu.