Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Utah State
Dogs Drop Physical Battle to USU
1/15/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
FRESNO, Calif. - You can't fault the Bulldogs for a lack of effort in Saturday night's 52-39 loss to Utah State, but a cold-shooting performance from the field and the free throw line tempered any hope to knock off the three-time defending Western Athletic Conference champion.
"We gave a great effort, but we just shot the ball so poorly tonight that it was disappointing," head coach Steve Cleveland said after Fresno State's eighth consecutive loss to the Aggies. "I thought Greg played as well as he has played against a zone defense and really attacked the basket. We have to put this one behind us and be ready to face a really good Idaho team on Monday night.""
The physical nature of the game became a consistently bruising one throughout the contest that featured a double-double for USU's Nate Bendall (12 points and 16 rebounds), Tai Wesley's co-game high 12 points and a team-high 10 points for Fresno State's Greg Smith, who also added nine rebounds and attempted 11 free throws.
Yet, the grinding performance by both teams yielded a 26-15 lead for the Aggies at halftime. Through the first 20 minutes, the Bulldogs pounded the glass for a 22-14 advantage in the rebounding battle, including 12 offensive boards.
In the second half, Fresno State held onto their edge on the boards and regrouped from the field with a 40 percent clip (8-20) and made 38 percent (3-8) down the stretch in the final 20 minutes.
"We shot about 800-1000 shots this week and Kevin and Ned couldn't miss all week," Cleveland noted of the team's approach during the Dogs' practices this past week.
Olekaibe, who was fresh off a career-high 23 points last Saturday against New Mexico State, finished with eight points and converted all three of free throw attempts. Golubovic, a two-time Academic All-District honoree, missed all eight of his field goal attempts.
Despite the gritty late push, highlighted by left-handed slam dunk by Bulldog freshman Tyler Johnson, Utah State held on for the 13-point victory in their second lowest scoring outing of the season.
The defensive gameplan was sparked in part by the return of junior guard Tim Steed, who played in his first game since injuring his left ankle in the Bulldogs last WAC win - an 80-74 home victory over the Nevada Wolf Pack on Jan. 3.
"I thought we had good practices this week," Steed said. "It was bittersweet to be back. Tough loss... It felt good to play, but we have to put it behind us and be ready to go on Monday."
The Dogs will turn their full focus to Monday night's crucial home game against Idaho, who sits in a tie for second place in the WAC standings at 4-1 through their first five conference games. The 7 p.m. tip off on Martin Luther King Day will feature a "Salute to the Services."
POST GAME NOTES
• Utah State improved to 16-2 on the season and 5-0 in WAC play.
• Fresno State fell to 7-8 on the season and 3-2 in WAC play.
• Greg Smith led Fresno State with 10 points and nine rebounds.
• Tim Steed returned to hardwood for the first time since the Bulldogs' 80-74 victory over Nevada on Jan. 3. Steed, a junior, missed the past two games with a left ankle injury.
• Fresno State held Utah State to its second lowest scoring outing of the season (52 points).
• Fresno State outrebounded Utah State 35-34 to mark the fifth straight game the Bulldogs outrebounded their opponent.
"We Are Your Team!" --- You can help the Bulldogs "Salute the Services" on Monday night when Fresno State hosts Idaho at 7 p.m. in the Save Mart Center. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com and a special discount package for $32.99 that includes two tickets, a parking spot, a $10 concession credit and 20% off at the Bulldog Shop can be found at the two Fresno and one Clovis Costco locations.
