Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
San Jose State
Four 'Dogs Reach Double Figures Against Spartans
1/24/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 24, 2009
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) - Junior forward Sylvester Seay recorded his second career double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds as Fresno State's second half surge erased a 14-point halftime deficit before dropping an 85-79 conference game on the road at San Jose State on Saturday night."We attacked the zone much better in the second half," head coach Steve Cleveland said. "Ves (Seay) had his best game of the season and we have an opportunity to get better with two home games next week."
Four Bulldogs scored in double figures for the second straight game, and two reached at least 20. Senior guard Dwight O'Neil netted 21 points and four assists. Freshman guard Paul George tallied 20 points and a career-high six assists. Seay tied a career-high with four blocks to go with his 17 points and 12 rebounds. Sophomore forward Nedeljko Golubovic added 11 points on the night.
The Spartans opened the scoring by hitting a jumper from the right baseline before the Bulldogs hit back-to-back shots for the first lead of the game, 4-2.
After the teams traded points to a 6-6 tie, the Spartans scored five straight and later extended their lead to seven before Seay hit a 3-pointer from the left corner and a jumper from the right baseline to the cut the deficit to 17-15.
San Jose State then went on a 14-4 run for a 31-19 advantage with under six minutes remaining in the first half.
Fresno State got four quick points courtesy of Seay, who drained a jumper at the top of the key and and turned an offensive board into a pair of free throws to bring the `Dogs within eight.
But the Bulldogs finished the half down 43-29 as Seay led Fresno State with nine points, five rebounds and three blocks, while Golubovic added eight points. Fresno State completed all six free throw attempts during the opening session.
The `Dogs started the second half with back-to-back 3-pointers as Golubovic and George both netted shots from downtown on the left side to bring the Spartans lead to 43-35.
With 16:10 to go in the second half, O'Neil drove down the lane and kicked out to a wide-open Bryce Cartwright, who hit the Bulldogs fourth 3-pointer to get within five.
After a defensive stop, Seay nailed Fresno State's fifth 3-pointer in less than five minutes turn a 14-point halftime deficit to just two points 50-48.
Cartwright hit the `Dogs sixth 3-pointer of the second half to cut the Spartans' advantage to one, 54-53.
Bulldogs erased the deficit completely when O'Neil hit a tough 12-footer in traffic to even the tilt at 57-57.
The Spartans responded by recording a quick 8-1 run, highlighted by a pair of Robert Owens 3-pointers to extend their lead back to 65-58 with under seven minutes to play.
But the `Dogs refused to give up.
George continued to stay hot from beyond the arc as he dropped in a pair to cut the San Jose State lead to four, 70-66.
But, the `Dogs fell down by ten points as the Spartans hit clutch free throws and timely shots in their 85-79 win to improve to 9-9 on the season and 3-4 in WAC Play. Fresno State falls to 8-12 for the year and 1-5 in conference action.
The Bulldogs recorded a season-high 12 3-pointers on the night, with 11 coming in the second half while shooting 54.5 percent during that session.
The 'Dogs exit WAC play for their final non-conference home game of the season as they welcome Houston Baptist to the Save Mart Center on Wednesday night.
Click HERE to read the Fresno State men's basketball "Bulldog Blog"
"Join the State - Fresno State!" - The `Dogs return home to the Save Mart Center on Wednesday, January 28 as they host Houston Baptist at 7 p.m. It's Working Wednesday at the Save Mart Center and fans can enter their business cards in the enter-to-win box for a chance to win prizes. Tickets are on sale now through the Save Mart Center box office, by calling (559) 485-TIXS or online at ticketmaster.com.
