Fullerton Puts One in Bank : College basketball: Thomas’ shot bounces in with time expired in 85-83 win over San Diego State.

Brian Thomas called it his “prayer” shot.

The 35-footer banked in with no time left on the clock Tuesday night to give Cal State Fullerton an 85-83 overtime victory over San Diego State in the San Diego Sports Arena.

The Titans were down, 83-82, after San Diego State’s Chad Nelson had driven the lane to score with four seconds left.

“Brian really had a long way to go in a short amount of time,” said Fullerton Coach Bob Hawking. “We had three guys set up for the shot, but by the time Brian got it down, he had to go for it.”

The victory was Fullerton’s first after two road losses and enabled the Titans to avert their first 0-3 start since the 1974-75 season. The defeat was San Diego State’s second in four games after a 2-0 start.

While Thomas, a junior-college transfer, was the late hero, teammate John Williams sparked a strong second-half surge.

Williams finished with a game-high 25 points, making eight of 13 shots from the field and nine of 12 free throws. At one point in the second half, Williams scored 18 of Fullerton’s 21 points.

The Titans had a chance to win in regulation, leading,74-72, but Thomas was called for a foul against Chad Nelson with two seconds remaining. Nelson made both free throws to send the game into overtime.

Thomas finished with 12 points. Chuck Overton had 16 and Chris Dade 11.

Nelson led the Aztecs with 21.

The game was a homecoming for Dade and Titan point guard Ali Nayab. Nayab played at Kearney High and Southwestern College in San Diego. Dade starred at El Camino High.