Fullerton Stuns UCLA Basketball In 2OTs

Sports News - November 17th, 2009 - Written by John

The college basketball season could not have gotten off to a better start. The very first game part of ESPN's 24 consecutive hours of coverage to start the season provided probably the best finish of the entire day.

Cal State Fullerton, which had previously lost it's last nine meetings against UCLA, shocked the Bruins in front of a meager crowd, rallying in double-overtime to win 68-65 Monday night. It was the first time any UCLA basketball team lost an opener since 2002.

The Titans led the entire way and nearly blew a 10-point lead in the second half. But they were able to keep pace with the heavily favored UCLA, and won the sixth period 8-5.

Aaron Thompson scored a career-high 22 poins for Cal State, while Gerard Anderson (14) and Jacques Streeter (11) each reached double-digits.

It spoiled a great night for senior Michael Roll and sophomore Malcolm Lee, who were the game's second-leading scorers with 17-apiece. But for the rest of the team, it was a forgettable performance. As a team, they shot just 31-percent and hit merely five of their 29 attempts from three-point land. In overtime, their problems only mounted, shooting 3-for-17 combined in the extra periods.

Despite the bleak numbers, the Bruins still had a chance to win the game, leading by one with only seconds left in the game. A 14-2 run midway through the second half allowed them to cut the lead to 47-45, then tied the game at 57-all. After Roll was fouled and hit one of two freebies, the Titans caught a break when Roll turned around fouled Streeter with nine ticks left, and the sophomore made one of the two ensuing free throws to force OT.

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