Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Cal State Bakersfield
`Dogs Blitz By Bakersfield, 79-68
2/23/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
FRESNO, Calif. -- As Bulldog after Bulldog reached and surpassed career-best statistical performances, Fresno State jumped ahead early and often for a 14-point halftime lead and never looked back on their way to a 79-68 blitzing of CSU Bakersfield on Tuesday night in the Save Mart Center.
"This was a good win for us," head coach Steve Cleveland said following his 77th victory with his hometown Bulldogs. "We need to have the energy and effort from the first half and use that as we finish WAC play."
Sophomore Mike Ladd and freshman Greg Smith each recorded 17-point evenings as Ladd drained a pair of triples on a night when he passed 600 career points and Smith went seven for eight from the field to improve one of the nation's best field goal percentages.
Sophomore Paul George contributed a solid and balanced performance with 16 points, a career-high seven assists, six rebounds and also chimed in with a perfect four for four mark at the free throw line.
Four other Bulldogs notched notable career-highs: Steven Shepp (seven rebounds), Nedeljko Golubovic (three blocks), Garrett Johnson (three rebounds and two 3-pointers made) and Taylor Kelly (first career block).
"Garrett and Jerry (Brown) compete so hard during practice that they have to be on the floor and earned their playing time," Cleveland added. "Garrett was looking for his shot and knocked some down. Jerry is so explosive and attacked the basket. It was nice to get our bench some playing time down the stretch because we will need them in the next few games to help us win."
George came away impressed with his teammates during the Bulldogs' final non-conference contest of the 2009-2010 regular season.
"Greg had a great game and we came together as a team," George said. "I was trying to be aggressive, but smart with my decision-making by trying to find guys who could score."
Stephon Carter paced the Roadrunners with 13 points.
At the half, Fresno State led 47-33 behind Ladd's 12 first-half points, Shepp's five steals and a booming 59.3 percent shooting (16-27) during the first 20 minutes. The 'Dogs improved to 11-3 on the seaosn when ahead at the break and 10-4 in games decided by 10 or more points.
Fresno State shot 49.1 percent from the field, including 42.1 percent (8-for-19) from beyond the arc and held CSUB to 36.9 percent shooting.
The Bulldogs will now complete their final three games of Western Athletic Conference play with a Saturday night road game at San Jose State before a national television audience on ESPNU to start their final WAC road trip.
"San Jose State plays very well at home and has talented plyaers," George added. "We are looking forward to finishing this season strong."
With their spot in the 2010 WAC Tournament locked up, Fresno State can jockey for seeding with hopes of securing the program's sixth appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
"We Are Your Team" - On Saturday the 27th your Bulldog men's basketball team will travel to San Jose to combat the Spartans at 7 p.m. on national television (ESPNU). Then, they'll finish their road trip when they head to the Beehive State on March 1st to take on the WAC-leading Utah State Aggies. Check out GoBulldogs.com to get up-to-date news and information on all of your favorite Fresno State Athletics teams.
