Another Close One Goes Against Titans

North Texas might be only an also-ran in the Big West’s Eastern Division, but the Eagles certainly are creating a stir in the West.

North Texas won its third consecutive game and fourth in five games against Western Division teams Saturday night with an 81-75 overtime victory over Cal State Fullerton in front of 1,107 in Titan Gym.

North Texas (9-11, 4-6) is 0-5 against teams in its own division, but has lost only to Pacific in the West.

The Eagles, who won in double overtime Thursday at UC Irvine, overcame a season-high 26-point performance by Titan guard Chris Dade with a well-balanced attack that had five players in double scoring figures, led by T.J. Atkins’ 22 points.

It was another frustrating night for Fullerton (10-10, 3-7) and another game without leading scorer John Williams, who is sidelined for at least two more weeks with a broken wrist. The loss was Fullerton’s fourth in a row, and second consecutive in a game that went down to the wire.

“To come that close and lose again is painful,” Dade said.

Dade did about as much as anyone could to keep that from happening, making six of 12 shots from three-point range and also shooting 50% from the field.

Dade connected on a three-pointer with 22 seconds left in regulation to get the Titans into the overtime, then stole the ball for layup at the start of the extra period.

The score was tied, 75-75, with 2 1/2 minutes to go, but the Eagles got a goal-tended basket by Atkins and Chad Elstun made a pair of free throws for a four-point lead with 18 seconds left.

The Titans attempted 30 three-point shots, with Chris St. Clair and reserve Dane Plock each getting two to go with Dade’s season-high six, but the Titans shot 43% as a team to 52.6% for North Texas.

“We have to plan on what we know we can do,” Titan Coach Bob Hawking said. “The strength of this team right now is from outside.”

But Hawking said there was no plan to get Dade his 20 shots from the floor. “Chris just had the hot hand tonight, and St. Clair and Plock didn’t have exceptional shooting nights,” he said.

Dade said he was a little surprised that he got as many open shots as he did.

“I expected them to be double-teaming me more,” Dade said. “I was getting good looks, even though they threw several different people at me.”

At times the Titans were able to work the ball inside effectively. Forward Mark Richardson scored nine points and center DeVaughn Wright had eight, but it still was a far cry from having Williams’ power game inside.

“What we need to get is a unified effort with everyone contributing on both sides of the court,” Hawking said. “This wasn’t one of our stellar defensive games. We allowed too many easy shots.”

North Texas Coach Tim Jankovich attributed his team’s victory to improved defense and better ball handling in the late stages of the game.

“We quit turning the ball over, and our defense solidified,” he said. “But they’re an outstanding three-point shooting team.”

Dade was three for four from three-point range in the first half and the Titans led 34-31 at halftime. The Titans led by nine points at one point in the second half, but didn’t hold on.

The Titans are at home Thursday night against UC Irvine, which has only one victory.

“The incentive for us now to come out and continue to compete hard in every game,” Hawking said. “There’s no quit in this team. No one can say we aren’t competing despite some adversity.”