Cal Poly Slips by Titans

Cal State Fullerton assistant coaches Rob Orellana and Jason Levy hotly debated Derick Andrew’s apparent three-pointer with referee Jim Stupin during a timeout as the Titans tried to rally against Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Thursday night.

A one-point loss only left them steaming afterward. Instead of Kevin Richardson’s buzzer-beating bank shot sending the game into overtime, it gave Cal Poly a 61-60 victory at Fullerton.

Fullerton (3-6, 0-1 in Big West) wasn’t happy afterward.

“[Andrew’s] foot was clearly behind the line,” Orellana said as he left the locker room.

With Cal Poly leading, 60-52, Andrew dribbled around a screen and buried a jumper that the Titans thought was a three-pointer.

Stupin ruled that Andrew’s right foot was on the line, although a videotape showed that it was just behind it.

The Mustangs missed four of five free throws in the final 53 seconds to allow Fullerton several chances at a comeback. Trailing, 61-57, with 2.8 seconds remaining, Brandon Campbell made one free throw and missed the second for the Titans.

Richardson grabbed the loose ball but did not have time to get behind the three-point line.

Fullerton Coach Donny Daniels said the referees missed the call.

“You’ve got a Final Four referee missing a call like that,” Daniels said. “He was behind the line.”

Campbell led the Titans with 19 points and reserve Josh Fischer had 10 points and eight rebounds.

Brandon Beeson and Varnie Dennis each had 11 for Cal Poly (6-2, 1-0).