Fresno State
Cal State Monterey Bay
Bulldogs Down Otters
12/5/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 6, 2007
FRESNO, Calif. (AP) - Kevin Bell scored 24 points and Bryan Harvey added 19 as Fresno State needed overtime Wednesday night to defeat Cal State Monterey Bay 85-80.
Hector Hernandez scored five of his 18 points in overtime for Fresno State (5-3), including a corner 3-pointer with 1:22 remaining that put the Bulldogs ahead 82-77.
Augie Johnston had a game-high 31 points for Cal State Monterey Bay (1-7) in the Otters' only game this season against a Division I opponent. Johnston finished 7 of 11 from 3-point range.
Johnston had a game-high 13 points in the first half, including a 3-pointer with 39 seconds left that pulled the Otters into a 37-37 tie at halftime.
Cal State Monterey kept the game within reach in the second half by shooting 53.6 percent. Joe Mitchell added 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Otters.
Harvey's 3-pointer with 2 seconds left in regulation tied the game at 75-75.
Fresno State never trailed in overtime.
Bell drove for an uncontested layup after stealing the ball from Johnston, and Tyson Parker found Hernandez on the baseline for a dunk, putting the Bulldogs ahead 79-75 with 2:17 left.
Postgame Quotes and Notes
Fresno State Head Coach Steve Cleveland
"This was one in which get got some luck at the end of the regulation and sometimes you need that. Sometimes that happens. We will take it, learn from it and move on. This is the kind of game that can be very beneficial for a team as the season progresses. Winning in overtime will give you confidence."
Unfortunately we didn't not get much from our bigs tonight. Hector (Hernandez) played well at times be he was fighting cramps. We had some guys cramping tonight but they battled through. Kevin Bell was really hampered. We used our time outs and gave the guys some breaks toward the there. That way they could stay in the game."
"I though we really had a chance to take control of the game in the first half. We had an 11 point lead and could have extended it but we didn't convert on some shots that we should have. I think that kept them in the game and they made a nice run and then it turned into a dog fight."
Bulldog Notes
Bryan Harvey had a career-high for points (19), rebounds (9) and blocked shots (4) and made the biggest shot of the night, a fall-away 22-footer with 0:02 seconds remaining to send the game to overtime.
The Bulldogs scored 85 points in the victory and all fans received a Pizza Hit coupon for a free pizza. This season, to commemorate the Fresno State 1983 NIT Championship season, every time the Dogs score 83 points at the Save Mart Center, all fans receive a free pizza coupon from the Bulldog marketing staff as they leave the arena.
James Tchana tied his career-highs with six points, two rebounds and eight minutes against CSUMB.
The Dogs are 1-0 all-time against the Otters.
Tyson Parker's seven assists in the game were most for him in his career, besting is previous high of three against Louisiana Tech on Jan. 27, 2007.
Senior Hector Hernandez scored 18 points and chipped in a career-high three blocks in the game.
The Dogs had 11 blocks in the game, most in a game this year.
Fresno State plays at UNLV on Saturday at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on Bulldog Sports Network (KFRE CW 59) beginning at 6:30 with the first "Hitting the Hardwood" pre-game show of the season. Ralph Wood and Bob Donewald will call the action.
"Join the State - Fresno State!" - The Fresno State men's basketball team will travel to play Arizona on Sunday, December 16 at 12 p.m. Catch the game on the Bulldog Sports Network, KFRE CW59.The Bulldogs return to the Save Mart Center on Thursday, December 20 against Presbyterian College at 7 p.m. All tickets are just $5 for this game. Tickets can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com, by phone at (559)485-TIXS, or in person at the Save Mart Center box office.
