UCI straddles fine line in defeat
Barry Faulkner
It has been said the camera doesn’t lie. But, for at least a minute
of what had to be tantalizing optimism for the host UC Irvine men’s
basketball players, coaches and fans Thursday night, it appeared as
if it was at least willing to keep a secret.
But, at the urging of Cal State Fullerton Coach Bob Burton, game
officials elected to review a television station’s video replay of a
critical foul call that wound up costing the Anteaters a shot to
complete a valiant second-half comeback in a 71-70 Big West
Conference victory for the Titans.
Originally, officials ruled UCI junior guard Ross Schraeder was
fouled while attempting a three-pointer on the right wing with 1.5
seconds left and the Titans leading, 71-68.
A referee raised three fingers, indicating three foul shots, and
Schraeder walked toward the free-throw line. But officials, including
NFL referee Bill Vinovich, convened near midcourt and, after a brief
discussion, decided to use the available video evidence, as is their
option on matters such as whether a shooter is behind the three-point
line.
“They said he was on the line,” UCI Coach Pat Douglass said of the
eventual verdict, which presented the Anteaters an unlikely chance to
overcome the three-point margin.
Schraeder, who led the hosts with 21 points, made the first foul
shot. He said he tried to miss the second, in order to create a
rebound opportunity for his teammates. But Schraeder, who entered the
week fifth in NCAA Division I in three-point accuracy (49.6%) and had
hit all five of his free throws in the game to that point,
inadvertently made the second one, as well.
Fullerton (13-7, 7-4 in conference) inbounded to Ralphy Holmes,
who was fouled with two-tenths of a second remaining. Holmes
intentionally missed the free throw and time expired, giving
Fullerton its fifth straight victory. The win avenged a 97-81 home
loss to UCI Jan. 15.
“I thought I was behind the line,” Schraeder said of the fateful
possession that followed two Jamaal Brown free throws with 6.2
seconds remaining.
Brown, who led the Titans with 22 points, netted a 10-footer with
25 seconds left to erase a 68-67 UCI lead.
Schraeder missed a three-pointer on the ensuing possession and
Fullerton’s Bobby Brown wound up with the rebound. Brown was
immediately fouled with seven seconds left, but UCI had to foul once
more to send the Titans to the free-throw line.
The late drama ruined what had been a spirited UCI rally.
Down, 56-40, with 10:59 left, the Anteaters (10-10, 4-8) scored 11
straight, capped by a Schraeder three-pointer.
Fullerton then increased its lead to 65-55 with 5:17 left, but
senior center Greg Ethington scored six straight to spark an 11-0
Irvine spurt that ended with a Davis Baker three ball and a 66-65 UCI
lead with 3:51 left.
Jamaal Brown scored inside to give Fullerton the lead, but Baker,
who scored a career-high 13 points, sank both one-and-one free throws
for a 68-67 edge with 1:41 left.
Big West Conference
Cal State Fullerton 71,
UC Irvine 70
Cal State Fullerton -- Holmes 17, King 8, J. Brown 22, B. Brown
10, Harper 7, Burns 6, Cottrell 1.
3-pt. goals -- B. Brown 2, Holmes 1, Harper 1.
UC Irvine -- Campbell 8, Gloger 6, Ethington 16, Schraeder 21,
Fitzgerald 0, Baker 13, Fells 4, Metelski 2.
3-pt. goals -- Schaeder 3, Campbell 2, Baker 1.
Halftime -- Cal State Fullerton, 36-30.
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