Peterson Makes Big Free Throw for Titans

Cal State Fullerton still has UC Santa Barbara’s number, and give Winston Peterson credit for keeping it that way.

Peterson made a clutch free throw with three seconds left to give the Titans a 62-61 Big West basketball victory over the Gauchos on Thursday night in Titan Gym.

Peterson scored 19 points to go with 10 rebounds and sparked the Titans to their fifth consecutive victory over Santa Barbara over the last three seasons.

Peterson had pulled down the big rebound when the Gauchos’ Tecon Madden missed a jump shot inside the key in the final seconds. Peterson was fouled by Santa Barbara center Doug Muse when he went for the ball.

Peterson made the first free throw and missed the second, but he also rebounded the miss and time ran out. The victory lifted Fullerton to 6-10, 4-4 in the Big West, while Santa Barbara fell to 9-6, 4-3.

“I guess that’s characteristic of Winston’s two years here,” Fullerton Coach Bob Hawking said. “He’s made some big plays.”