Fresno State Athletics
'Dogs Head Up 99 for '11 Finale
12/28/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 28, 2011
FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno State closes out its 2011 non-conference slate against longtime rival Pacific on Thursday night in Stockton.
The Bulldogs and Tigers will tip off at approximately 7:30 p.m. PT with the game being featured on KMJ Radio 580 AM.
Quick Bulldog Bites
• Fresno State has traveled 12,896 miles so far this season, including the trip to Stockton
• Shooting guard Kevin Olekaibe is the nation's third-leading sophomore scorer (20.2 ppg)
• Senior Steven Shepp ranks in the top 30 seniors with 4.7 assists per game
• Senior forward Jonathan Wills is averaging 13.3 points during the past nine games
• Sophomore guard Tyler Johnson is averaging 10.6 points during the past seven games
About the Pacific Tigers
The University of Pacific (Big West Conference) is 4-6 on the season, but 4-0 at home including wins over Utah State and Hawai'i. The Tigers are led by Lorenzo McClouds's 10.0 points per game. Pacific owns the series edge against Fresno State, 79-74.
Olekaibe Lighting Up the Nets
Even as teams gameplan to stop him, Bulldogs' guard Kevin Olekaibe is a scoring machine. He ranks third nationally among sophomore scorers (T-17th: all scorers) and first in the WAC (would also be first in the MW) at 20.2 points per game. Olekaibe has scored in double-digits in 9 of the `Dogs 13 games and topped the 25-point mark five times this year.
'Dogs Rally to Beat Arizona State in Absolute Thriller
Fresno State erased a 17-point first-half deficit and stunned the Pacific-12's Arizona State 68-65 in an absolute thriller. With the 'Dogs down 65-64, sophomore guard Kevin Olekaibe knocked down the go-ahead 3-pointer from the left wing and 29.9 seconds remaining. Olekaibe scored 21 of his career-high 30 points in the second half to rally Fresno State and fueled the Bulldogs' incredible 32-8 run over a 14-minute span in Tempe.
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.
'Dogs Picked 6th, 7th in Preseason WAC Polls
The Bulldogs know they have some work to do to exceed the expectations of the WAC head coaches and media, who picked the Fresno State men's basketball team to finish sixth and seventh, respectively, in the 2011-12 preseason selections. Nevada and Utah State were tabbed as the early frontrunners by the coaches and media.
'Dogs Field Two Seniors for First Time in Four Years
For the first time in four years, Fresno State sports more than one senior with point guard Steven Shepp and wing Jonathan Wills suiting up as fifth-year seniors. Shepp is in his third season with the 'Dogs after starting at Allegany College and Wills is in his second in a Bulldog uniform as a D-I transfer from New Mexico.
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.
"We Are Your Team!" --- The Bulldogs will finish up a three-game road span next Wednesday, Dec. 29 at Pacific. The game can be heard live on KMJ 580 AM with tip off slated for 7:30 p.m. PT. Be sure to follow Terry's Tweets from the road trip on Twitter (@RodneyTerry). The next chance to see the 'Dogs in the Save Mart Center is Jan. 2 when Boise State visits the Save Mart Center for the 2012 opener.
