Fresno State Athletics
Bulldogs Top Coppin State in Season-Opener
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
November 13, 1998
FRESNO, Calif. (AP) - Sophomore Melvin Ely had an impressive collegiate debut, scoring 26 points to lead Fresno State to a 86-67 victory over Coppin State on Friday night.
Ely also had a team-high 10 rebounds and blocked five shots. Courtney Alexander, a transfer from Virginia, had 20 points in his Fresno State debut. It was both teams season openers.
Fred Warrick led Coppin State with 19 points and Jerel Seamon added 16.
Coppin State took a 16-10 lead with just over 12 minutes left in the first half. But Fresno State turned up the defensive pressure and finished the half with a 40-20 lead.
Fresno State forced 18 turnovers in the first half, including 14 in the final 12 minutes. Alexander had 12 points and three steals in a first-half run. Coppin State's four points came at the free-throw line as the Eagles missed 15-straight field-goal attempts.
Fresno State led by as many as 30 points in the second half allowing coach Jerry Tarkanian to clear his bench. Chris Herren, who averaged almost 16 points a game last season, had just two points but dished off eight assists in his new role as point guard.
