Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
San Jose State
Bulldogs Down San Jose State, 87-80
2/23/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 23, 2006
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) - Quinton Hosley posted his 12th double-double of the season with 22 points and 12 rebounds and Ja'Vance Coleman added 24 points on six 3-pointers, leading Fresno State to an 87-80 win over San Jose State on Thursday night.
In a very physical game, Fresno State (14-11, 7-6 Western Athletic Confernce) had four players score in double figures as the 'Dogs made a season-high 28 free throws and shot .824 from the charity stripe for the game.
Carlton Spencer scored 22 points and had seven assists for San Jose State, which has lost seven conference games by seven points or less this season under first-year head coach George Nessman. Demetrius Brown added 20 points and five rebounds for the Spartans before fouling out with 4:52 left to play.
Coleman hit two 3-pointers during a 13-4 Fresno State run in the second half that gave Fresno State a lead it never relinquished.
San Jose State trailed 71-63 before mounting one final rally and closing within 78-74 on a three-point play from Jared Cozad with 1:33 remaining. Coleman, who tied a season-high for 3-pointers, ended the Spartans' comeback hopes with a deep 3, then added a pair of free throws with 32 seconds left to seal the win.
Dwight O'Neil scored 16 points for Fresno State, 11 in the second half, as he also had four assists, a block and two steals. Kevin Bell also contributed 16 points and six assists for the Bulldogs to give the Bulldogs four players in double figures.
San Jose State (6-21, 2-11 WAC) opened the game with a 12-0 run before Hosley's 3-pointer with 16:13 left in the first half snapped Fresno State's scoring drought. Coleman later hit a pair of 3-pointers during a 16-0 run that gave the Bulldogs a 21-16 lead.
Fresno State's offense went stagnant again later in the half, and the Bulldogs managed just one basket over the final four minutes, allowing San Jose State to take a 40-38 halftime lead on Brown's short hook shot.
Fresno State's win was just its fourth this season when trailing at halftime.
"This was a good night in that the performance was a total team effort," Fresno State head coach Steve Cleveland said. "It was a good win on the road, especially as we have lost some close games away from home.
"The difference in tonight's game was the execution of our press," Cleveland stated. "It changed the tempo of the game. It allowed us to force them into 17 turnovers and we were able to convert those opportunities into points.
"I also thought having 17 offensive rebounds was a huge factor," Cleveland added. "We were able to keep the ball in play and capitalize on second chance opportunities.
"Dwight (O'Neil) gave us good energy and was the catalyst," Cleveland said. "Quinton (Hosley) settled down in the second half and played the type of game he can play; he wasn't forcing and allowing the game to come to him. Donovan (Morris) gave us good minutes off the bench and had good intensity. Ja'Vance (Coleman) lifted us when we needed that boost on the floor. Kevin (Bell) just did a nice job of attacking the basket and had a terrific night at the free throw line.
"San Jose State competed and played hard, just like they did at our place earlier," Cleveland continued. "Both games were physical and played well. I think our team's resolve is what got us through."
Fresno State returns back to action on Mon., Feb. 27, against Boise State on ESPN's Big Monday. The Bulldogs will play in front of a national audience for the second time of the season and 17th overall since 1999-2000 as the 9:00 p.m. game will be shown live on ESPN2.
This is the home finale for the 2005-06 season as the Bulldogs are 11-2 at the Save Mart Center. Single-game tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster outlets or from the Save Mart Center Box Office.
