Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
SMU
Men's Basketball Edges SMU 78-70
1/24/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan 24, 2002
FRESNO, Calif. (AP) - Melvin Ely scored a game-high 27 points, including an emphatic two-handed dunk with 42 seconds left, as Fresno State defeated SMU 78-70 Thursday.
With the victory, Fresno State (14-6, 6-2) took over sole possession of third place in the Western Athletic Conference race. Chris Jefferies added 15 points for the Bulldogs, who improved to 9-0 on their home floor.
SMU (10-8, 5-3) dropped its second straight league game and third of its last four despite 20 points apiece from guards Damon Hancock and Quinton Ross.
After trailing for most of the second half, Fresno State used a 13-3 scoring run to take the lead for good. Chris Sandy capped the surge with six consecutive points, including a three-pointer with 5:06 left.
SMU enjoyed a 13-0 scoring run spanning the end of the first half and the start of the second to put itself in position for the victory.
Fresno State opened a 10-point lead late in the first half, then went scoreless for the final 1:52. After trimming the deficit to 39-35, SMU scored the first seven points of the second half.
Ely is averaging 29.7 points in seven games since returning from a six-game suspension levied by the NCAA for accepting an extra benefit.
