Fresno State Athletics
George's 9th Double-Double Highlights Tough Road Game
12/21/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 21, 2009
MISSOULA, Mont - Sophomore Paul George showed his 3-point prowess with a 28-point night and his ninth career double-double with 10 rebounds as Fresno State dropped a 59-56 decision to Montana on Monday night in Dahlberg Arena.
"We had opportunities to get the victory and played our best basketball for the first 35 minutes of the game," head coach Steve Cleveland said. "Montana made a couple of big contested baskets down the stretch and we couldn't finish. I am disappointed in the outcome, but proud of young men's effort tonight."
After trading shots for the opening minutes of the game, Fresno State jumped ahead 20-13, their largest lead of the first half, when George intercepted a Grizzly pass and turned his steal into a bounce-pass assist to a streaking Ladd for a two-handed slam dunk.
The sharp-shooting Grizzlies shot their way back into the game and the half ended with the score tied 28-28.
During the first half, George scorched the Grizzlies for 19 points on four 3-pointers and another pair from the field. He added six rebounds and two steals.
After Fresno State edged ahead 36-33 out of the locker room at halftime, the Bulldogs went on a 9-2 run for a 10-point advantage at 45-35 with 11:47 left in the game.
But the Grizzlies made shots down the stretch and reclaimed the lead 55-54 with 2:47 to play in the game, which they extended to a 3-point edge with 1:54 remaining.
After Seay drained a pair of free-throws, Montana hit a jumper near the free throw line for a 59-56 Grizzly lead with 6.1 seconds to go to seal the home team's ninth win of the season.
"There is going to be a day when we are going to get over the hump," Cleveland reflected. "These young men played their hearts out. This is a tough road trip. We are getting better and need to be ready to play a very talented Oregon State team on Wednesday night."
Fresno State (6-6) gave their best rebounding performance of the season with a 32-23 edge in boards over Montana and converted a season-high 92 percent (12-13) of their free throw attempts.
The Bulldogs conclude their four-game stretch over seven days with a trip to Oregon State for Wednesday evening's contest. The game will start at 5:30 p.m. and can be seen live on Fox Sports Net - Northwest.
"We Are Your Team" - The Bulldogs are hitting the road and heading to Oregon State to take on the Beavers on Wednesday, December 23, at 5:30 p.m. The game will be televised on FSN-NW and can be heard on KMJ-580 AM. For more information visit GoBulldogs.com.
