Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Western Washington (Exhibition)
Men's Basketball Runs Past Western Washington
11/4/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 4, 2007
FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State men's basketball team opened the 2007-08 season with a 97-67 victory, that included a 61-point second half against Western Washington Sunday afternoon at the Save Mart Center.
The Bulldogs showed it could run up and down at a high pace and knock down long range jumpers Sunday against the Vikings, which included all five starters in double-figures.
Senior forward Hector Hernandez led the Bulldogs with 23 points and nine rebounds, while senior point guard Kevin Bell had 21 points and nine assists.
"Those are our two leaders, as seniors, it's good to see them step up," Fresno State Head Coach Steve Cleveland said. "They really led the team today and showed the senior leadership we need."
Adding to the offense was junior Dwight O'Neil, who did a little of everything against Western Washington, scoring 13 points, grabbing seven rebounds and dishing out four assists. O'Neil also added two steals in 23 minutes of action.
Newcomer Bryan Harvey made his first start in a Bulldog uniform and scored 17 points and added seven rebounds. Harvey, a sophomore sharp-shooter, went 4 for 9 from long range. Senior Alex Blair scored a career-high 11 points and grabbed nine rebounds in a start, playing 24 minutes.
"We came out a little slow in the first half, but we knew it would take us a little while to get adjusted with the lights on," Bell said. "We have some new guys and it was good to play against someone other than just practice."
Eddie Miller came off the bench to score seven points, freshman Brandon Webster scored two points and freshman Nedeljko Golubovic scored one point and grabbed a rebound.
As a team the Bulldogs shot 46.3 percent from the field and went 9 for 27 from 3-point range, shooting 33.3 percent. Fresno State also outrebounded Western Washington 51-38.
"Join the State - Fresno State!" - The Fresno State men's and women's basketball teams host a doubleheader of exhibition games at the Save Mart Center against Fresno Pacific on Tuesday, November 6. The women tip off at 6 pm, and the men's game starts after the women's game at 8:30 pm. Men's and women's basketball tickets are on sale now. Season and group tickets, along with mini plan packages, can be purchased online at gobulldogs.com, by phone at 559-278-DOGS, or in person at the Bulldog Ticket Office. Single game tickets can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com, by phone at (559)485-TIXS or at the Save Mart Center box office.
