"I've never seen anything like this," Titan head coach, Bob Burton, said at the time, following Fullerton's improbable 113-112 triple overtime victory at Cal State Northridge in 2010. There would be 17 ties and 15 lead changes before the contest concluded. It would also become the highest combined scoring total game in CSUF men's basketball history.
The heroes of the game would be a high-flying Titan forward who had not connected on a single field goal in regulation, and a seldom-used junior walk-on guard from Orange Coast College.
The Titans were 12-11 overall at the time, and 6-5 in conference play. An early highlight of the season had been knocking off UCLA 68-65 at Pauley Pavilion.
The Titans had won four of their five previous conference games, and a victory at CSUN could position the squad in sole possession of third place in the Big West standings.
In order to support the team in this important road game, the boisterous Titan Hoop Club booster group had chartered a luxury bus for the Saturday evening trip to the San Fernando Valley. Bob Burton remembered in 2023, "I'll never forget those bus loads. We always did well at Northridge." In fact, coach Burton and the Titans had won their six previous contests at the Matadome.
Fullerton got off to a slow start and CSUN built up an early lead before being caught at 12-12. The Titans went uncharacteristically cold for the remainder of the first half, scoring zero field goals in the final nine minutes. CSUF trailed CSUN by 12 points at the half.
In the second half, Fullerton roared out on a 7-0 run. The Titans tied the game at 50-50 with 10:10 left in regulation. Devon Peltier hit a clutch 3-pointer with less than four seconds on the clock, and CSUN missed a potential game-winning shot to bring the game to a 76-76 stalemate at the end of regulation.
It was tied again at 83-83 after the first overtime period. It was still locked at 97-97 after the second overtime, following a Jacques Streeter trey with six seconds left. The loud Titan rooting section behind the Fullerton bench kept up with their continuous cheers and chants.
As the third overtime wound down to a conclusion, Fullerton's Jer'Vaughn Johnson, Bryce Webster, Aaron Thompson, Jacques Streeter, and Orane Chin had already fouled out. Gerard Anderson, despite failing to score a field goal in regulation, put the Titans on his back in the overtime periods, scoring the first 10 points for the Titans in the third overtime period.
Having only played sparingly during the season, 6'3" walk-on guard, Eric Williams, entered late in the game due to Fullerton foul trouble, and scored a bucket in the third overtime to aid the Titan cause.
With 11.3 seconds remaining in the third overtime period, Fullerton trailed 112-109. The Matadors were eager to avoid a Titan three-point attempt which could tie the game. Bob Burton thought: "These guys have to foul us."
As anticipated, with about four seconds remaining on the clock, Gerard Anderson was fouled near the half court line. With two free throws to shoot, the Titans would likely lose the game by one point if Anderson sunk both foul shots.
1. According to Williams: "In the timeout, we knew it was important that he make the first free throw and miss the second. We were all told to crash hard and make a play towards the rim."
2. Stepping to the line, Anderson icily drilled the first charity shot. With the game now at 112-110, Anderson needed to miss the next shot and hope for a Titan put back to tie the game and potentially send it to a fourth overtime. By rule, the shot would need to hit the rim before the Titans could try to rebound and put back the shot.
Jamel McGuire and Ray Miller were positioned on opposite lane lines. Peltier was situated behind the right 3-point arc, and Williams was in a similar spot on the left side.
Anderson's intentional miss banged hard against the backboard square and then the rim, spinning wildly long and to the left, exactly where Williams had scooted into position. Alertly grabbing the bouncing rebound, Williams attacked the basket in the same swift motion, dropping in a layup off the backboard. Williams was fouled in the act of shooting by a surprised Matador player.
As Williams remembered it: "Ray Miller was actually a huge reason why this play was made. He pushed his way to the middle, forcing both Northridge players to go with him, which created an open lane for me."
- When the ball bounced my way, I knew the only thing I could do was attack the rim. In a moment like that you can't do much thinking, it's all reaction."
Williams had improbably tied the game. Converting the 3-point play at the free throw line would likely secure a Titan win.
- Eric continued: "Once the ball went in the hoop I knew the game was over. I was one of the best free throw shooters in the conference the last 2 years and I knew that was one free throw I would not miss."
Following the implausible four-point play, the Titans took the lead 113-112. A wild CSUN 3-point attempt from half court hit the back of the rim before bouncing out. Titan fans caught their collectively held breath, then roared after the closely-missed Matador shot. The jubilant Titan team had stolen a road victory with a makeshift lineup at the end. Papa Guisse was the only available scholarship player remaining on the bench.
After shaking hands with CSUN's head coach, Bobby Braswell, Bob Burton pointed at the stands, clapped his hands, and waved to the delirious Titan rooting section before leaving the Matadome floor.
11 Titans would play in the contest. Gerard Anderson would lead Fullerton with 25 points, seven boards, two blocks, and two steals. Aaron Thompson and Jacques Streeter each contributed 21 points in the 55-minute marathon win. Eric Williams had scored five huge points in his three minutes of play.
Williams recalled: "I knew we had just won one of the greatest games in Big West history. It was an amazing night to share with my guys, and I'm glad we came out on the right end of things."
Bob Burton had this to say about the unlikely hero: "Eric was a great kid. He always gave us a lift."
Here are some highlights from that game. #TusksUp pic.twitter.com/DGvzfPPdLQ
— Titans Men's Basketball (@FullertonMBB) March 31, 2023