FULLERTON, Calif. – The Portland Pilots led by 10 late in regulation, but the Cal State Fullerton Titans made numerous big shots late to force overtime and take a 77-72 victory Thursday night at Titan Gym. Senior point guard Alec Wintering led four Pilots in double figures with 24 points and seven assists.

D'Marques Tyson hit five three-pointers and finished with 17 points, while Gabe Taylor and Jazz Johnson added 13 apiece for the Pilots (7-5).

The Titans (5-7) were sparked by a pair of key returners to the lineup as Kahlil Ahmad became academically eligible for the first time this season. Leading scorer Tre' Coggins also returned to the lineup after missing the team's last game for personal reasons. The duo combined for 45 points, including key plays late in regulation and overtime.

After Wintering drilled a three-pointer to give the Pilots (7-5) a 63-53 lead with 4:02 remaining, Coggins buried three three-pointers and a pair of free throws to pull the Titans within one. Wintering made one-of-two free throws with 21 seconds left to give Portland a 67-65 lead, but Ahmad drove the lane and finished with six seconds left to force overtime.

Coggins also buried a deep three to beat the shot clock in overtime to give the Titans a 77-72 lead with 29 seconds left and Portland was unable to answer.

Ahmad came off the bench early in the game and drilled five consecutive three-pointers to give the home team a 21-8 lead. The margin would grow to 15, but the Pilots used a 10-0 run highlighted by two Johnson three-pointers and a pair of Wintering lay-ups to cut the margin to four. Fullerton carried a 33-29 lead into the half.
Portland picked up the defensive intensity early in the second half and Wintering capped a 14-4 run with consecutive layups to give the Pilots a 47-42 lead.

Rebounding was an issue for a second straight game for the Pilots. Portland was outrebounded by a 52-33 margin and allowed a 20-6 edge in second chance points.

Fullerton shot 40 percent overall and made 14-of-32 three-pointers, while the Pilots finished at 41 percent and drilled 12 of 27 from beyond the arch.
Portland will shift its focus to West Coast Conference play which begins on Thursday, Dec. 29 at Pacific (Calif.) for a 7 p.m. tip-off. The Pilots return home to host Pepperdine on Saturday, Dec. 31 at 5 p.m. Tickets for kids will be free to that game, while all single game tickets and packages are available by visiting PortlandPilots.com/Tickets.

NOTES: Wintering moved from seventh the fifth place on the UP career scoring charts. He passed UP Hall of Fame members Jim Winters (1949-52, 55-56) and Leonard Williams (1974-78) and how has 1,455 points. Wintering now looks to pass another Pilot Hall of Famer, Rick Raivio (1976-80, 1,668).