Fresno State Athletics
'Dogs Start New Year with WAC Home Opener
1/2/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 2, 2009
Complete Release in PDF Format 
FRESNO, Calif. - After finishing 2008 with a thrilling 90-87 come-from-behind overtime victory on the road at Cal Poly, the Bulldogs open 2009 at .500 (7-7) as a host of freshmen have made significant contributions for the young Fresno State squad.
Up Next...
Fresno State (7-7) vs. New Mexico State (6-7)
Date: Saturday, January 3, 2009 (Tip Off: 7:00 p.m. PST)
Site: Save Mart Center (15,596); Fresno, Calif.
Radio: KMJ 580 AM (Paul Loeffler/Steve Gonzalez)
TV: None
Online: www.kmj580.com (Audio) / www.gobulldogs.com (Video)
Looking Ahead...
Fresno State (7-7) vs. San Jose State (6-4)
Date: Saturday, January 10, 2009 (Tip Off: 7:00 p.m. PST)
Site: Save Mart Center (15,596); Fresno, Calif.
Radio: KMJ 580 AM (Paul Loeffler/Randy Rosenbloom)
TV: None
Online: www.kmj580.com (Audio) / www.gobulldogs.com (Video)
`Dogs Start New Year with WAC Home Opener
Fresno State returns home for the start of 2009 as they start Western Athletic Conference play Jan. 3 with a Saturday night tilt by hosting the New Mexico State Aggies for a 7 p.m. tip-off. The Bulldogs enter league action with a 7-7 record against non-conference competition. This marks the first of two home games after a three-game road trip.
About the Aggies
New Mexico State University is 6-7 on the season with wins over UC Riverside (79-52), Pepperdine (90-66), Sacramento State (76-65), UTEP (90-78), Prairie View A&M (88-74) and Loyola Marymount (104-62). The Aggies were most recently edged by New Mexico, 68-66 on Dec. 30. Head Coach Marvin Menzies is in his second year guiding the Aggies after finishing 2007-08 with a 21-14 record and a tie for first in the WAC regular season before falling in triple overtime (107-102) to Boise State in the WAC Tournament Championship game.
Against the Aggies
Fresno State trails the overall series with New Mexico State, 17-12. The Aggies have won the past two contests but the `Dogs have won three of the past five meetings.
LAST GAME: Cartwright Sparks `Dogs to Thrilling 90-87 OT Win
True freshman point guard Bryce Cartwright broke out for 20 points while hitting 8 of 9 from the field and connecting on all three 3-pointers as Fresno State beat the Cal Poly Mustangs 90-87 in an overtime thriller in Mott Gymnasium on Monday night. Senior guard Dwight O'Neil delivered a clutch 20 points while freshman guards Mychal Ladd and Paul George were critical to the Bulldogs clawing their way back into the game as Ladd netted 17 and George added 16. George also had 10 rebounds for his fourth career double-double. Junior forward Sylvester Seay recorded his first Bulldog double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. The `Dogs trailed by as many as 13 points before surging back into the game with defense and hitting key shots. Cartwright banked in a half-court buzzer-beater to end the first half with the `Dogs down 35-34. The `Dogs took their first lead of the game with 1:51 left in regulation as part of an 11-0 run to complete the comeback bid. Fresno State improved to 7-7 on the season.
Click HERE to view the full game recap.
Seay Steadily Asserting Post Presence
Sylvester Seay, a junior transfer from San Bernardino, Calif. who attended Arizona State for his first two collegiate seasons, gives the Bulldogs a combination of experience, height and the threat to either drive to the basket or pull up for a three-pointer. Seay recorded a season-high 22 points as the `Dogs downed Seattle University.
`Dogs Top Conference in Attendance, Blocks and 3-Pointers
Fresno State paces the WAC in blocked shots (4.79 per game) and home attendance (8,666 per game). Freshman guard Paul George leads the conference in 3-point field goal percentage by hitting 30 of 60 three-point attempts while the Bulldogs are second in the league in 3-pointers made (7.36 per game). Junior forward Sylvester Seay is fifth in the WAC with 1.82 blocks per game. Senior guard Dwight O'Neil is fourth in the WAC with 5.15 assists per game. Fresno State is on track to once again lead the WAC in attendance for the sixth straight season.
"Join the State - Fresno State!" - The `Dogs return home to start 2009 at the Save Mart Center on Saturday, January 3 as they open WAC play against New Mexico State at 7 p.m. Tickets are on sale now through the Save Mart Center box office, by calling (559) 485-TIXS or online at ticketmaster.com.
