Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Cal State Monterey (exhibition)
Fresno State Coasts Past CSU Monterey Bay 80-59
11/14/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 14, 2004
FRESNO, Calif. - Ja'Vance Coleman scored 24 points and made six three-pointers to lead Fresno State to an 80-59 victory over CSU Monterey Bay in an exhibition game Sunday at the Save Mart Center.
Coleman shot 9-of-13 from the floor and 6-of-8 from three-point territory to lead all scorers. Though he didn't start, the sophomore entered the game after five minutes and made an impact immediately, nailing back-to-back three-pointers to put Fresno State ahead 14-2.
After the Otters cut the lead to 24-19 late in the first half, Coleman again made threes on consecutive possessions to put the Bulldogs up by 11.
Leading 35-28 at the break, Fresno State allowed CSU Monterey Bay only 10 points the opening 10 minutes of the second half to increase its lead to 57-38. The Bulldogs used their new fast-paced offense toward the end of the game to finish off the overmatched Otters, an NCAA Division II team playing their first ever game against Fresno State.
"I thought we improved from our first exhibition game, and that's very important," head coach Ray Lopes said. "The difference in the game, to me, was coming out in the second half and improving our defensive intensity. I challenged the team at halftime to do that, and it made a huge difference. I was pleased with our effort, and I know we are all looking forward to getting started for real next week."
In addition to Coleman, two other Fresno State players scored in double figures. Mustafa Al-Sayyad had 10 points and added 12 rebounds while Chris Berry scored 16 points to go along with his six blocked shots.
Darryl Anderson had 16 points and 10 rebounds to pace CSU Monterey Bay.
Fresno State never trailed in its two exhibitions. The Bulldogs, who have nine freshman and 10 newcomers on this year's roster, opened preseason play Monday with an 81-63 victory over Fresno Pacific.
Fresno State begins the 2004-05 season on Friday with a game against Maryland-Eastern Shore at 8 p.m. at the Save Mart Center. The night begins at 6 p.m. when the Bulldog women's team takes on Pepperdine.
