FULLERTON, Calif. - Cal State Fullerton women's basketball made a late-game comeback to force overtime and defeat UCI 66-64 on Thursday night at Bren Events Center. The Titans improve their record to 9-11 and 4-7 in Big West Play. Before tonight's game, UCI was undefeated in the conference.
With 35 seconds left on the board, Gabi Vidmar ensured the Titans did not walk away without a fight, sinking her 37th 3-pointer from the corner to tie the game 52-52.
Gabi calls tie game! #TusksUp | @gabvidmar pic.twitter.com/mozMjR5CnO
— Titans Women's Basketball (@FullertonWBB) January 27, 2023
Fullerton's offense trailed behind in the second half of play, but Ashlee Lewis scored 11 of her 19 points in the latter half to keep the Titans right in the shadow of UCI before clinching the win.
Ashlee Lewis extends lead with a layup! #TusksUp pic.twitter.com/d7k2j1LYmS
— Titans Women's Basketball (@FullertonWBB) January 27, 2023
A basketball game turned tennis match made for an exciting 45-minute game with six lead changes. UCI bounced back in the first quarter, but the Titans did not let the game slip away. Fujika Nimmo found a pathway to Jovanovic, who completed the layup, putting the Titans ahead, where they would remain at the break.
That Nimmo x Jovanovic connection! Titans take the lead 24-23 with 3:30 left in the half. #TusksUp pic.twitter.com/IO3E4FXKRL
— Titans Women's Basketball (@FullertonWBB) January 27, 2023
The Titans found an early 4-0 lead over the Anteaters off a layup made by Aixchel Hernandez, which was assisted by Una Jovanovic. Jovanovic led the Titans in scoring with 24 points on 11-for-18 shooting.
An injured Titans bench remains a challenge for the team, forcing key players Nimmo, Jovanovic, and Gabi Vidmar to remain on the court for the full duration of play. Allysan Tse, Nancy Panagiotopoulou-Andritsopoulou, and Demonnie Lagway were among the available players off the bench.
The Titans return to Titan Gym on Saturday to take on Cal Poly at 6 p.m.
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