Slow-Starting Fullerton Hot Enough in Overtime to Win

Cal State Fullerton Coach Bob Hawking had more than mild concern going into Tuesday night’s game against San Diego State that his team might be flat.

After the Titans’ Saturday night upset victory at Nevada Las Vegas in their Big West Conference opener, Hawking had reason to be wary.

It turned out to be justified. Fullerton scored only 20 points in the game’s first 19 minutes and trailed at halftime. But the Titans scrambled back to win in overtime, 83-73.

Guard James French, who has been in one of the worst shooting slumps on the team, hit aclutch three-point basket from the corner as the buzzer sounded to send the game into the overtime.

French also made two of three free throws with 25 seconds left in regulation to bring the Titans to within a point.

Two free throws by Aztec guard Chad Nelson still left San Diego State on top, 68-65, with 19 seconds left.

The Titans appeared to still be in trouble when the Aztec defense appeared to have Chris St. Clair stopped without a shot, but he was able to swing the ball to French, whose jump shot floated in.

The overtime belonged to Fullerton. Chuck Overton scored and was fouled with 1:50 to play. His free throw gave the Titans a 74-70 lead and three more from him put Fullerton up, 77-70.

French finished the game with 24 points, his career high, making 16 of 19 free throws. He had made only six field goals in his last 34 shots.

San Diego State (4-3) had a 61-51 lead with about six minutes to play before the Titans (3-3) came alive offensively. Five points in a row by Fullerton guard Chris Dade cut the deficit to 61-58, and a free throw by David Frigout made it 61-59 with about four minutes to play.

The Titans shot 24% in the first half, making six of 25 from the field and going scoreless in eight tries from three-point range. Only 11-of-14 free-throw shooting kept them in the game at the end of the first half.