Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Tulsa
Men's Basketball Tops Tulsa, 93-79
1/6/2001 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 6, 2001
TULSA, Okla. (AP) - Chris Jefferies' 3-point shooting and a stifling Fresno State defense shut down Tulsa for a 93-79 Western Athletic Conference win Saturday.
Jefferies scored four 3-point baskets for Fresno State (13-2, 2-0) in the second half and finished with 19 points to help stave off a late Tulsa rally.
Three other Bulldogs also scored in the double digits in tallying the team's fourth-straight victory over the Golden Hurricane (9-5, 0-1).
The previous games, including last year's WAC championship, came down to the final minutes. But Fresno State out-hustled and outmanned this Tulsa team from the start.
Center Melvin Ely scored 12 of his 14 points in the first half before foul trouble sent him to the bench for much of the second half. Tito Maddox and Demetrius Porter each added 16 for the Bulldogs.
Tulsa trailed throughout the game and was down by 21 points with 8 1/2 minutes remaining when Marcus Hill sank a 3-point shot that launched a 19-6 Tulsa run.
Tulsa came within 8 points but then Jefferies hit another 3-pointer and Fresno State made its free throws to run away with the win.
Greg Harrington added 16 points for Tulsa and Kevin Johnson scored 12.
