Titans’ Streak Growing : Basketball: Run of good luck continues for a second game as Cal State Fullerton beats San Diego State in overtime, 83-73.

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

Hawking had reason to be wary because the Titans were coming off an upset victory at Nevada Las Vegas in the Big West Conference opener.

His worrying was justified; the Titans scored only 20 points in the game’s first 19 minutes and trailed 31-23 at halftime. But just when they appeared to be tossing away any momentum gained in the victory over UNLV, the Titans scrambled back to win in overtime, 83-73.

Guard James French, deep into a shooting slump, hit a clutch three-pointer from the corner at the buzzer to force overtime.

French also made two of three free throws with 25 seconds left in regulation time to bring the Titans to within a point. Guard Chad Nelson hit two free throws to keep San Diego State on top, 68-65, with 19 seconds left.

The Titans (3-3) appeared to be in trouble when the Aztec defense converged on Chris St. Clair, but he was able to swing the ball to French, whose jumper floated in.

“We were looking for Chris in that situation,” Hawking said. “But they jumped two guys in on him. I’m sure they figured he’d be the guy to take the shot since he’s been our best perimeter shooter.”

St. Clair’s three-point shot beat UNLV. But French was the Titans’ clutch player this time.

“We just wanted to get a good look at a three,” French said. “Chris was going to take it up, but he couldn’t, so I was able to get a shot at it.”

Given the new life, the overtime belonged to Fullerton. Chuck Overton had the big basket in the overtime with 1:50 left. He was fouled on the play and his free throw put the Titans up, 74-70. French added three more more free throws to make it 77-70.

French finished the game with 24 points, his career high, getting 16 points at the free-throw line in 19 attempts. Going into the game, he had made only six field goals in his last 34 attempts.

Fullerton center Winston Peterson, who has had four consecutive 20-point-plus games, was limited to 14.

“It was tough after coming off the Vegas win,” Hawking said. “That’s all everyone was talking about. We kept telling them that today’s headlines are tomorrow’s trash, but it’s not easy when that’s what everyone is talking about.”

Hawking was able to joke about the second consecutive close victory after it was over. He looked over at Athletic Director John Easterbrook and kidded: “I’m going to need a case of Grecian Formula for my hair after this season is over.”

San Diego State (4-3) led, 61-51, with just less than six minutes left before the Titan offense came to life. Five consecutive points by freshman guard Chris Dade got the Titans to within three points.

David Frigout’s free throw made it 61-59 with just more than four minutes left.

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

Fullerton shot 51.7% in the second half to finish at 38.9% compared to 31.3% for the Aztecs.