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.