Fullerton Falls Short of Upset in Double Overtime

New Mexico State Coach Lou Henson called it a gift, though it wasn’t one that Cal State Fullerton gave up without a fight.

The Titans (5-6, 0-1) appeared to have an upset victory within reach Thursday night in the Pan American Center, but the Aggies (11-4, 1-0) escaped with an 89-87 double overtime victory in Las Cruces, N.M., on the opening night of Big West Conference play.

“They deserved to win the way they played,” Henson said.

The Titans had a three-point lead in the first overtime when Aggie point guard Donminic Ellison made an off-balance, one-handed three-point shot with 11 seconds left to give New Mexico State a tie at the end of the first overtime.

In the second overtime, the Titans led, 85-84, with 21 seconds left after Chris Dade, who had 25 points, made two free throws, but Ellison again saved the Aggies. Ellison drove down the lane and connected on a 10-foot shot with eight seconds left. Fouled on the play, Ellison also made the free throw for a two-point lead.

A three-point attempt by reserve guard Dane Plock missed from outside, and Ellison (13 points) made two more free throws with 1.4 seconds left to clinch the victory.

“We don’t have anything to hang our heads about,” Titan Coach Bob Hawking said. “That’s about as good as it gets if you’re a college basketball fan. It was a tremendous effort by both teams, but they made the crucial plays down the stretch.”

Louis Richardson and Charles Gosa led the Aggies with 26 and 25 points, respectively.