Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Utah State
Bulldogs Edged By Utah St.
2/7/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 8, 2008
FRESNO, Calif. (AP) - While it was a memorable night for Bulldog senior Kevin Bell, who notched his 1,000th career point, the tough Fresno State squad could not overcome a cold first half of shooting as it lost to WAC leader Utah State 77-72 on Thursday night.
In addition to Bell's big night, fellow senior Hector Hernandez has his best game of the season with 22 points and 13 rebounds. Bell and Eddie Miller each scored 20 points for the Dogs.
WAC scoring leader Jaycee Carroll scored 22 points, including six 3-pointers.
Utah State (17-6 overall, 7-1 WAC) led by double digits throughout the game until the Bulldogs made a late surge. Fresno State pulled to within 73-70 on Eddie Miller's 3-pointer with 1:02 left, but could get no closer.
Gary Wilkinson and Kris Clark had 16 points each for the Aggies, who shot 58.3 percent from the floor and made 8-of-14 3-pointers.
The Bulldogs had a chance to tie the game in the final minute, but Miller missed a 3-pointer with 31 seconds left. Clark grabbed the rebound, got fouled and made 1 of 2 free throws to seal the victory.
After being held without a field goal in the first half, Miller scored 17 of his 20 points in the second half.
Carroll, the WAC's leading scorer and one of the most accurate 3-point shooters in the nation, finished 6-of-9 from beyond the arc.
Utah State, which leads Boise State (8-2) in the WAC standings, led by as many as 16 points in the second half before Miller and Hernandez fueled Fresno State's comeback.
The Aggies won their first ever game at the Save Mart Center and for the first time in Fresno since 1992.
Utah State led 39-25 at halftime thanks in large part to 55.2 percent shooting. The Aggies built a double-digit lead in eight minutes, then maintained their cushion for the remainder of the half.
Carroll led the way with 11 points, and Clark added 10. Hernandez had 10 points for the Bulldogs.
The Dogs had a tough time overcoming the Aggies, who scored 22 of the game's first 29 points.Head Coach Steve Cleveland
"We dug ourselves a hole in the first half, no question. I was really pleased with the effort and spirit in the second half. It just wasn't enough. We have to learn how to win these games. The better team won tonight. Utah State is a very good basketball team and they deserve a lot of credit."
"Hector (Hernandez) played his best game in while. He wants to finish strong. He has a lot of pride. He's a good student and has done everything right as a student-athlete at Fresno State. He wants to go out a winner and I know we will see a high level of play from him for the rest of the season."
"We will watch and learn from this game, but we have to move on and get ready for the trip to Idaho on Wednesday. We will have the weekend off. The guys have been going pretty hard and this break comes at a good time."
Bulldog Notes
- Fresno State had a season-high 11,030 fans at the game tonight at the Save Mart Center.
- Kevin Bell surpassed the 1,000-point plateau for his career. He entered the game needing eight points for the milestone. With 20 points, he has 1,012 for his brilliant career and became only the 27th player in Fresno State history to reach 1,000 in his career.
- Bell's five assists tonight give him 551 for his career which ties him for 10th on the WAC Career Record List.
- Also with two three-point field goals tonight, Bell tied a career-high and his five steals were a career-high as well.
- Bell has scored 20 or more points in three of his last four games. He also added a career-high of five steals and five assists.
- Hector Hernandez had a double-double with 22 points and 13 rebounds. He had season-high's tonight in points (22), field goals (8), field goals attempted (13) and had a career-high with four assists. His 13 boards were one away from his career-high.
- Three Dogs (Hernandez, Bell and Miller) scored at least 20 points against the Aggies, the first time three Dogs have scored 20 in a game this season.
- Fresno State continues to be the WAC leader in fewest turnovers. Tonight against the Aggies, the Dogs had just six.
- Dwight O'Neil made his first field goal since he went out Nov. 17 with a hand injury vs. Cal State Bakersfield. He made three free throws in his return last week vs. La Tech.
Join the State - Fresno State! The Fresno State men's basketball team goes on the road to battle Idaho Thursday, February 14 at 7 p.m. The game will be televised on the Bulldog Sports Network (KFRE CW59, KUVI in Bakersfield). The `Dogs return home to the Save Mart Center on Wednesday, February 20 against Hawaii at 7 p.m. featuring the halftime entertainment of Anti-Gravity. Tickets can be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com, by phone at (559)-485-TIXS, or in person at the Save Mart Center box office.
