Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Northern Arizona
Bulldogs Chop Lumberjacks for Road Victory
11/17/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - The defensive emphasis by head coach Steve Cleveland paved the way for Fresno State to secure a key road opening win against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks, 65-59, on Tuesday night in a soldout J.C. Rolle Activity Center.
"It's fun to win close games," Cleveland said after his first victory in a road opener since the 2006-07 season. "We shot the ball better tonight and when we switched defenses, it disrupted their attack. NAU is a great basketball team and I am happy we found a way to finish it tonight."
Senior Sylvester Seay scored a season-high 22 points and pulled down six rebounds. His presence on defense saw him flying all over the floor for loose balls and force deflections. Seay ended the night with a pair of steals.
"Ves is capable of a night like tonight any time he takes the floor," sophomore forward Paul George said. "That's the Sylvester we need and are a much better team when he performs like tonight."
Cleveland credited experience as another factor that propelled the Bulldogs to victory.
"Ves attacked the basket well," Cleveland noted. "The veteran experience of Ned (Golubovic) gave us the moxy and experience to guide the younger guys in this tough battle."
George notched his first double-double of the season and seventh of his young Fresno State career with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Another sophomore Mychal Ladd added eight points and four rebounds with two 3-pointers.
After a huge freshman debut last Friday, Greg Smith followed up his strong performance with another big-time effort. He finished with seven points and five rebounds. Smith connected on all three field goal attempts to remain perfect from the field on the season. Yet, his innate ability to come through in the clutch and dominate the low post made the difference.
"Greg made a huge play at the end of the first half and put the game away with his effort at the end of the game," Cleveland said.
Smith scored the Bulldogs' first points with a put back off an offensive rebound and hit a turnaround jumper with 19 seconds left in the first half to give Fresno State a 36-35 halftime lead. With 1:39 to play, Smith grabbed his other offensive board and converted a lay-up that jolted the Bulldogs ahead for good.
Dog Notes
George added another highlight-worthy dunk 365 days after his famous one-handed slam on Saint Mary's last season. With 13:39 left in the game, George posterized another unassuming defender with a transition slam dunk off a Steven Shepp steal ... Junior forward Nedeljko Golubovic drained a key 3-pointer to put the Bulldogs up 19-9 midway through the first half ... Fresno State now heads to Seattle, Wash., the hometown of Bulldog guard Mychal Ladd, for a game with Seattle U. The game will be the first contest of the season shown on the Bulldog Sports Network.
"We Are Your Team" - Check out the Fresno State Men's Basketball team on the Bulldog Sports Network when they take on Seattle University (KAIL MY53 - Comcast Cable, Channel 13) at 7 p.m. The "Hittin' the Hardwood" pregame show begins at 6:30 p.m. For more information be sure to visit GoBulldogs.com.
