Fullerton Lets Victory Slip Away

Cal State Fullerton had a good shot at a third consecutive victory Friday night, but the Titans’ recent good fortune in close games disappeared in an 90-82 overtime loss to San Francisco.

Fullerton (3-4) led, 74-71, when guard James French made two free throws with 22 seconds left in regulation, but San Francisco guard Gerald Walker hit a three-point shot with 17 seconds to go that sent the game into overtime.

French had one final chance to win it in the final seconds of regulation, but his jumper bounced away.

Afterward, with Walker leading the way, the Dons (5-6) dominated the overtime.

Walker, who went over 1,000 points for his career in his previous game, scored 30 this time and dominated down the stretch. He scored San Francisco’s first five points in overtime, and John Duggan’s three-point shot put the Dons six points ahead. The Titans never recovered.

“I guess the luck just didn’t go our way the way it has in the last two games,” Fullerton Coach Bob Hawking said. “We still didn’t shoot well, and they certainly got hot at the right time.”

Fullerton shot 40.9% from the field compared to 46.5% for San Francisco, which shot 55% in the second half.

The Titans had five players in double figures with center Winston Peterson getting 17 points. Chuck Overton and Chris Dade each had 15, David Frigout 14 and Chris St. Clair added 12.

The Titans, however, weren’t as solid defensively as they had been in earlier victories against Nevada Las Vegas and San Diego State.

The Dons were up 71-67, but Peterson worked San Francisco center for his fifth foul and hit two free throws and St. Clair’s three-pointer gave Fullerton a 72-71 edge.

The Dons missed twice from outside before French controlled the rebound, took a foul and hit two free throws. But the Dons responded with Walker connecting on the three-pointer to tie it at 74.

Fullerton got off to its best start of the season, running up a 13-6 lead on a pair of free throws by Peterson followed by Frigout’s layup. The Dons came back to tie the score at 17, but Fullerton got its inside game going with two straight baskets by Peterson to lead 29-20.

The Titans led by up to 10 points late in the first half, but the Dons scored twice just before the end of the half to cut the deficit to 38-32 at halftime.