Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Fresno Pacific (Exhibition)
Bulldogs Soar Past Sunbirds, 97-88
11/5/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 5, 2008
FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State men's basketball team capped a doubleheader of Bulldog Basketball with a high-energy scoring showcase by beating the Fresno Pacific Sunbirds, 97-88, in front of 8,657 fans at the Save Mart Center.
The contest marked the `Dogs fifth straight win in as many years against the Sunbirds. This was the first exhibition game of the season for Fresno State while Fresno Pacific entered the game with a 2-0 record on the season, fresh off their 19-12 campaign in 2007-08.
Freshmen Paul George (Palmdale, Calif.) and Mychal Ladd (Seattle, Wash.) shined in their collegiate exhibition debut, both earning starts and lighting up the scoreboard. George netted a team-high 28 points while Ladd added 21. Senior Dwight O'Neil started at point guard and contributed 16 points. Seay also reached double figures with 14 points on the night.
"I am most proud that these guys found a way to win the game by making plays," head coach Steve Cleveland said. "I appreciate all the fans that came out to watch and know that the support is going to continue to grow."
Each team brought a significant intensity to the arena in a physical battle where the teams traded shots for most the night before the `Dogs pulled away in the final minutes of the game.
"Both teams shot the ball extremely well," Cleveland added. "I respect Jim Saia (FPU head coach and former Bulldog assistant under Gary Colson) and his program. This is a game that made us a better basketball team by competing against them."
On the night, the Bulldogs shot 55.2% from the field while winning on the boards (38-29) and the turnover battle.
At halftime, the Bulldogs trailed 46-42 in the competitive battle with the Sunbirds before outscoring the visitors by 13 in the second half.
However, the play of the night goes to George when he electrified the crowd with a huge steal in the Sunbird backcourt with under five minutes to play in the first half. The freshman sprinted uncontested to the hoop that ended with a big-air one-handed slam dunk to highlight the `Dogs late first-half 11-0 run that gave Fresno State a six-point lead, their largest of the half.
"My coaches and teammates put me in a great position all night," George said in his first post-game college media conference.
Former Bulldog, turned Sunbird, Marcus West led Fresno Pacific with 33 points and 8 three-pointers, one shy of his Fresno State record 9 three-pointers in a game that he still holds today.
Fresno State returns to the Save Mart Center for their final exhibition match-up with the Warriors of Cal State Stanislaus at 2 p.m this Sunday, Nov. 9. The afternoon affair is another doubleheader with the women's basketball team.
"Join the State - Fresno State!" - Secure your seat now for exciting Bulldog Basketball as season tickets, mini-plans and single game tickets are on sale for the 2008-09 season. To order your tickets visit the Bulldog Ticket Office, call 278-DOGS or visit gobulldogs.com. The `Dogs host Cal State Stanislaus in the final exhibition tune-up on Sunday, November 9 at 2:00 pm in the Save Mart Center. Tickets are on sale now through the Save Mart Center box office, by calling (559) 485-TIXS or online at ticketmaster.com.
