SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. – Sophomore Aidan Fowler (San Clemente, Calif.) hit an off-balance, one-handed three-pointer at the buzzer as the California State University San Bernardino men's basketball team defeated the Stanislaus State Warriors 73-72 in overtime on Saturday afternoon in a CCAA contest at Coussoulis Arena.
With the win, the Coyotes improve to 12-13 overall and 9-9 in CCAA play.
Stanislaus State jumped out to a 10-5 lead in the opening minutes, but CSUSB responded with a 9-0 run to take a 14-10 advantage, capped by a layup from senior Court Franklin (Santa Ana, Calif.).
The Warriors briefly retook the lead, but CSUSB answered right back with a floater from redshirt senior Gavin Davis (Carson, Calif.). The Coyotes held the lead for the remainder of the half and went up by as many as eight points — their largest lead of the game — after freshman Zion Paleo (Diamond Bar, Calif.) converted a pair of free throws following a steal. CSUSB carried a 30-25 lead into halftime.
Davis opened the second half with a layup and knocked down a three-pointer a few minutes later, marking the Coyotes' first made three-pointer of the game.
The Warriors retook the lead with 10:33 remaining in the game. CSUSB briefly regained the advantage after Fowler made a pair of free throws with 5:29 left to give the Yotes a 52-51 lead. Stanislaus State responded once again and appeared to pull away, building a 63-55 lead with 1:10 remaining. However, CSUSB was not finished.
Sophomore Max Zylicz (Gdansk, Poland) scored his first basket of the game but could not convert the and-one opportunity. After the Warriors missed the front end of a one-and-one, Davis answered with a jumper while drawing a foul and converted the free throw to make it a one-possession game.
Davis then forced a steal on the next possession. With 27 seconds remaining, Fowler drilled a game-tying three-pointer to even the score at 63-63. Stanislaus State missed a three on its ensuing possession, and CSUSB's final attempt in regulation came up short, sending the game into overtime.
Fowler briefly gave the Coyotes the lead in overtime with a long two-pointer, but the Warriors responded with a 6-0 run to take a 69-65 advantage. CSUSB answered once again. Franklin threw down a dunk, and Clinton connected on a corner three to reclaim a 70-69 lead. Stanislaus State made two free throws to go back in front, 71-70.
With six seconds remaining and no timeouts, the Coyotes went the length of the court. Paleo found Fowler, who knocked down a three-pointer as time expired to give CSUSB the 73-72 victory.
Davis led the Yotes with 25 points, while Fowler added 18. Franklin and Zylicz paced CSUSB on the boards with eight rebounds apiece.
CSUSB will remain at home next week to face Cal Poly Humboldt on Saturday. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.
#GoYotes
