Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Fresno Pacific (exhibition)
Bulldogs Cruise Past Fresno Pacific in Exhibition Opener
11/8/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 9, 2004
FRESNO, Calif. - Donovan Morris scored 19 points and added 12 rebounds as new-look Fresno State opened its exhibition season with an 81-63 victory over Fresno Pacific on Monday night at the Save Mart Center.
Morris had seven of his points in the game's deciding run, a 10-2 spurt at the start of the second half that increased the Bulldogs' 37-29 halftime lead to 47-31.
Ja'Vance Coleman had 17 points while Chris Berry and Dwight O'Neil added 11.
"For the first exhibition game, I thought this was a nice start," head coach Ray Lopes said. "There are obviously some things we need to work on, but that's always the case after the first game. Overall, I was pleased with what I saw tonight, and I believe we will continue to improve as we go along."
Fresno State, which never trailed, built a lead as large as 12 in the first half before settling for their eight-point edge at the intermission. The Bulldogs were never threatened in the second half, holding a double-digit lead throughout.
Corey Duckworth scored 19 points to lead Fresno Pacific, which shot only 33 percent compared to 46 percent by Fresno State. The Sunbirds were also outrebounded 47-31.
The Bulldogs feature one of the youngest teams in the nation. Of the 11 players in uniform for Monday's exhibition, nine were newcomers to the program. One player who sat out was freshman Hector Hernandez, who was nursing a sore hamstring. He is hopeful for a return Sunday.
Also missing Monday night's game was senior Dreike Bouldin, who will sit out the first six regular season contests to concentrate on his academic progress.
