Fresno State Athletics
Bulldogs Back to Face Cal Poly
12/15/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 15, 2011
FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno State puts a 3-0 home record on the line when the Bulldogs host the Big West's Cal Poly Mustangs on Saturday night at the Save Mart Center.
The Holiday Hoops match-up between the schools separated by 250 miles will tip at 7 p.m. All fans are encouraged to bring teddy bears or stuffed animals to donate to Valley children.
GAME 11: Fresno State (4-6) vs. Cal Poly (7-3)
Date: Saturday, December 17, 2011 (Tip Off: 7 p.m. PT)
Site: Save Mart Center (15,596); Fresno, Calif.
Radio: KMJ 580 AM (Paul Loeffler/Damon Jackson)
Video: www.GoBulldogs.com/AllAccess (Subscription required)
Quick Bulldog Bites
• Fresno State is 3-0 this season at home (Average margin of victory = 22.6 ppg)
• The Bulldogs have won their last two home games by 30-point margins
• Sophomore guard Kevin Olekaibe is the nation's sixth-leading sophomore scorer (19.8 ppg)
• Senior forward Jonathan Wills is averaging 14.3 points during the past six games
About the Cal Poly Mustangs
Cal Poly (Big West) is 7-3 on the season with wins in five of its past six games, including a 47-40 road victory at San Jose State. The Mustangs are led by David Hanson (10.9 ppg), Amaurys Fermin (9.9 ppg) and Will Taylor (10.2 ppg/7.3 rpg). Fresno State is 16-1 versus CP at home and 2-0 at the Save Mart Center. The 'Dogs are 28-6 overall against the Mustangs.
Olekaibe Still Putting Up Big Scoring Numbers
Even as teams gameplan to stop him, Bulldogs' guard Kevin Olekaibe is a scoring machine. He ranks sixth nationally among sophomore scorers (T-30th: all scorers) and first in the WAC (would also be first in the MW) at 19.8 points per game. Olekaibe has scored in double-digits in 9 of the `Dogs 10 games and topped the 20-point mark in five of the past eight contests.
LAST WEEK: Bulldogs Rally, But Fall at Colorado; Edged in Eugene
Fresno State made another second-half rally at Colorado before falling to the Buffaloes 71-64 and pushed Oregon to the brink, but were clipped 74-70 in Eugene. The `Dogs dug themselves a 20-point first-half hole at CU that they cut to three behind the power of Olekaibe's season-high 26 points. At Oregon, Wills tallied a game-high 20 for the Bulldogs, who nearly upset the Ducks on their home floor even with Olekaibe limited to 18 minutes.
Bulldogs Net 82-52 Win Over Pac-12's Utah
The Bulldogs came out firing right from the start and used an all-around team effort for a dominating 82-52 victory the Pacific-12's Utah on Saturday afternoon at the Save Mart Center. Kevin Foster scored a career-high 16 points, Kevin Olekaibe and Steven Shepp both reached 15 points each, and Jonathan Wills added 11 for Fresno State, who never trailed.
Fresno State Remains WAC's Top Overall Program Over Past Nine Years
With its strong commitment to superior athletic competition and academic performance, Fresno State finished second in the last two Western Athletic Conference Commissioner's Cup races and remained the top program throughout the nine years of the award. The `Dogs rank first among the current WAC institutions, ahead of Nevada and Hawai'i as the top three WAC schools. Fresno State is one of three repeat Cup winners (2007-08 & 2008-09), along with Rice University (2003-04 & 2004-05) and Boise State University (2009-10 & 2010-11).
Welty Accepts 'Dogs Invitation to Join Mountain West Conference
President John D. Welty announced last summer that Fresno State accepted an invitation to become a member of the Mountain West Conference. The Bulldogs will leave the Western Athletic Conference after the 2011-12 season to compete against Air Force, Boise State, Colorado State, Nevada, New Mexico, San Diego State, UNLV and Wyoming.
Graduation Rates Steadily Improving
At 57 percent, Fresno State's record-setting six-year federal graduation rate for the incoming class in fall 2004 is six percentage points higher than the the general Fresno State student body at 51 percent. It also far surpassed the previous four years by Bulldog student-athletes, improving from 50 percent for 2003-04, 45 percent for 2002-03, 49 percent for 2001-02 and 51 percent for 2000-01. Additionally, 10 of the 14 applicable sport programs, including men's basketball, graduated 50 percent or more of their student-athletes during the time frame.
Fresno State to Host 2012 NCAA Women's Basketball Regional
All-Session Tickets are also on-sale for the NCAA Women's Basketball Fresno Regional Semifinals on Mar. 24, 2012 and the Fresno Regional Finals on Mar. 26. Adult tickets are $50, student and youth tickets are $25 or family plans are $99, which includes 2 adult and 2 youth all-session tickets. Tickets can be purchased through the Bulldog Ticket Office at www.GoBulldogs.com, calling 559-278-3647 or in person at at Bulldog Stadium.
Bulldog Foundation Supports Student-Athlete Scholarships
The Bulldog Foundation supports student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition and in life "Beyond the Game." This mission is accomplished through the cultivation of individual and business relationships throughout the San Joaquin Valley and the Red Wave. Philanthropic donations can be made by calling 559-278-7160.
Terry Coat Tracker
Bulldogs' head coach Rodney Terry coaches with intensity and passion. While he always wears his suit coat before the game, some time in the first few minutes, Terry will ditch the coat for the remainder of the contest. Here are the past times on the clock in the first half when the coat hit the bench:
Game # - Opponent - Time
01 - ILSU - 19:00
02 - STAN - 18:20
03 - SMU - 18:45
04 - MAN - 18:57
05 - UTSA - 18:16
06 - NDSU - 18:44
07 - ARTU - 18:47
08 - UTAH - 18:50
09 - COLO - 18:30
10 - ORE - 18:27
"We Are Your Team!" - Fresno State returns to the San Joaquin Valley for a Dec. 17 home game against Cal Poly. To secure single-game tickets, you can visit Ticketmaster online, through ticketmaster.com, call 1-800-745-3000 or visit the Save Mart Center Box Office between 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Monday-Friday) or two hours prior to tip off on gamedays. Make sure to also like Fresno State Athletics on Facebook and follow @FSAthletics on Twitter for the latest updates from the 'Dogs.
