Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
SMU
Men's Basketball Blows Past SMU 76-56
2/15/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 15, 2003
FRESNO, Calif. (AP) - Damon Jackson and Noel Felix scored 16 points each, leading four Fresno State players in double figures as the Bulldogs defeated SMU 76-56 Saturday night.
The win, coupled with Nevada's overtime home loss to Louisiana Tech, increased Fresno State's lead in the Western Athletic Conference to 1.5 games over the Wolf Pack with four contests to play.
The Bulldogs' victory was sparked by solid shooting from the floor. They hit 53.8 of their shots and 50 percent from three-point range.
Terry Pettis added 15 points and six assists for Fresno State.
"Games like this happen when you play good defense and rebound the ball well," head coach Ray Lopes said. "This was a team victory. We had many guys play well, especially Noel [Felix] and Terry [Pettis] off the bench. This team has bounced back many times this year and we did it again tonight."
Quinton Ross led SMU with 18 points, while Patrick Simpson added 12 points and six rebounds for the Mustangs (12-11, 7-6), who suffered their sixth loss in a row to Fresno State.
SMU shot just 36.7 percent from the field and only 23.5 percent on three-pointers.
After trailing 40-27 at halftime, SMU trimmed Fresno State's lead to nine points before the Bulldogs took over. Three consecutive three-pointers by Travis DeManby put Fresno State ahead 59-39 with 10:45 left.
Fresno State improved to 13-1 at home after suffering its first home loss Thursday against Louisiana Tech.
