Titans Rally to Defeat Pacific in Overtime

Cal State Fullerton came to life just in time Thursday night.

The Titans overcame a 13-point deficit in the second half and posted a 79-69 victory over Pacific in overtime in a Big West Conference game in Titan Gym. The victory ended Fullerton’s six-game losing streak.

The Titans overwhelmed Pacific in the overtime with 17 points. Fullerton (2-8) evened its conference record at 1-1 while Pacific (4-6) fell to 0-2.

Reserve guard Ali Nayab made a three-point basket with 1:30 to play in regulation to tie the score, 62-62, after feeding John Williams earlier for a layup that brought the Titans to within 60-59.

Both teams had chances to go ahead in the final minute of regulation but failed.

Fullerton took control quickly in overtime. Williams hit two free throws and Chris Dade made a three-point shot to give the Titans a 67-62 lead and Fullerton was in control the rest of the way.

Williams broke clear for a layup and Chuck Overton scored twice, once on a fast-break dunk that pushed Fullerton’s lead to 75-66 with 38 seconds left.

It marked Fullerton’s second overtime victory of the season. The Titans won at San Diego State, 85-83, in December.

Overton led Fullerton with 19 points and Williams added 16. Nayab, who lost his starting position recently to freshman Kenroy Jarrett, came off the bench to score 14 points. Dade finished with 13.

Guard Adam Jacobsen led Pacific with 19 points, although 12 of those came in the first half and nine early in the game before Fullerton Coach Bob Hawking switched Dade to guard him.

“In the face of a lot of adversity, our kids put forth a real effort,” Hawking said. “They showed some intangibles and if they can combine that with some more good basketball, we have a chance for some more ‘W’s” down the road.”

Hawking paid special tribute to Nayab and Dade.

“Ali gave us a big lift coming in off the bench,” Hawking said. “This game was a great shot in the arm for him as well as the team.”

Hawking was especially happy with Dade’s defensive play against Jacobsen, who finished six for 14 from the field despite the strong start.

“We started out with Overton on on Jacobsen,” Hawking said. “But he’s a great shooter, and we made the decision to put Chris on him after about five minutes into the first half. That turned out to be a good move for us.”

Jacobsen scored only once from behind the arc after the change.

“Chris made Jacobsen work for everything he got,” Hawking said. “We’ve given Chris the best perimeter player we’ve gone against all last season and this. He also got a big three-point basket for us in the overtime. That gave us some breathing room. Then we were able to execute the way we wanted down the stretch.”

Pacific attempted 30 three-point shots, and made 12 of them. “They have some quality shooters and it’s been their bread and butter,” Hawking said.

But the difference was at the free-throw line. The Titans made 23 of 35 free throws compared to 11 of 23 for Pacific.

Hawking said ending the losing streak was a big burden lifted.

“You can’t imagine the feeling we’ve had,” he said. “It’s a great win for our players.”