Cameron Goettsche scored 18 points including a critical 3-pointer late
in the first overtime to lead UC Santa Barbara to a 98-95 double overtime
victory over Cal State Fulleton in a foul-filled Big West Confernce game.
The Gauchos (14-10, 8-7) had five players in double figures including
Cecil Brown with 17 points and Casey Cook with 15. Both Goettsche and
Branduinn Fullove had 7 rebounds.
The Titans (9-15, 5-10) were led by Bobby Brown with 23 points and Pape
Sow with 21. Hardy Asprilla had 10 points and a game-high 11 rebounds.
Fullerton is 0-4 in overtime games this year after going 5-1 last season.
UCSB scored the first eight points of the second overtime to take a 93-85
lead capped by Cecil Brown's 3-pointer. Fullerton went on a 10-3 run to
draw within 96-95 at 0:56 capped by Bobby Brown's 3-pointer. Each team
missed a shot before Fullove made two free throws with 11 seconds to go
and Anthony Bolton's forced shot from the corner missed at the buzzer.
Fullerton had a 5-point lead at 85-80 in the first overtime with 35 seconds
remaining. Nick Jones missed two free throws for UCSB but Fullover batted
the rebound out to Goettsche, who made his first 3-pointer in conference
play to make it 85-83. Jacoby Atako stole the ball in the backcourt and
tied the game at 85-85 with 22 seconds left but missed a free throw. Bolton
missed a 3-pointer from the corner just before the buzzer.
In regulation, Fullove's tip-in of a missed shot tied the game at 72-72
with 38 seconds left. Fullerton turned the ball over on a shot clock violation
with five seconds left and Chrismen Oliver's jumper bounced off the rim
at the buzzer.
UCSB led early in the game but Fullerton led most of the way after a 9-0
run late in the first half, building an 8-point halftime lead. UCSB never
led in the second half but forced seven ties.
Both teams posted season highs for free thorws attempted and made with
UCSB hitting 32 of 45 and the Titans making 27 of 39. Fullerton lost three
starters to five personal fouls, all in the first overtime. UCSB lost
only reserve Josh Davis.
UCSB has won four years in a row in Titan Gym with each game decided by
2 or 3 points. UCSB beat Fullerton in Santa Barbara on Jan. 31 by 33 points,
77-44.
Fullerton hosts Cal Poly SLO in its fiinal home game Saturday night with
a post-season tournamenet berth on the line. UCSB visits UC Riverside,
trying to finish in third or fourth place to get a first-round tourney
bye.
