Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Hawai'i
'Dogs Outlasted by Hawai'i in OT, 74-68
1/12/2012 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
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FRESNO, Calif. - First-year head coach Rodney Terry's elusive first conference win slipped right through the Bulldogs' hands even though junior guard Garrett Johnson erupted for a career-high 18 points in Fresno State's 74-68 overtime loss to Hawai'i Thursday night.
"We were a defensive stop from getting a big win over a good team," Terry said after the 'Dogs last WAC home opener. "We had so many open looks early in the game, but couldn't finish the job. I've told the team that January is a grind it out month. Our effort was fine, but at this time, it's about winning - not being close."
Fresno State (7-11, 0-3 WAC), who lost its third straight conference contest for the first time in three years and just the second time this past decade, rallied from a 13-point deficit midway through the first half to force an exciting stretch battle that featured the 'Dogs first overtime game in nearly a year.
Zane Johnson scored 24 points and Vander Joaquim added 23 points and 16 rebounds to lead Hawai'i (10-6, 2-0 WAC) to a rare road victory by the Rainbow Warriors in Fresno. The Bulldogs dropped just its second tilt against Hawai'i in the Save Mart Center in the facility's nine years.
Joaquim scored 10 of the Rainbow Warriors' 16 points in the extra period as UH won its first conference road opener since 2004.
G. Johnson delivered the best performance of his career and made for a seamless rotation transition for the Bulldogs. He earned extended playing time after junior Larry McGaughey was ruled academically ineligible for the spring semester and drained two huge back-to-back 3-pointers in overtime that brought the Bulldogs within 65-64 with 1:52 left.
Joaquim answered with a layup, then converted a three-point play that put Hawaii ahead 70-66 with 50 seconds left and remain in control for the six-point road win.
"I want to give Hawai'i credit tonight," Terry said. "They played hard. They are a good team and have gotten off to a good start."
Hawai'i coach Gib Arnold credited his team's tenacity and fortitude for making the difference.
"Anytime you can win on the road it's great," Arnold said. "Anytime you have to fight back through adversity, I think it's great. I'm very proud of this team right now."
Fresno State guard Kevin Olekaibe added 15 points for the Bulldogs, and senior Steven Shepp had eight points and career-high 11 assists.
The game was presented by Community Medical Centers.
The Bulldogs get another chance to tally Terry's first conference victory when San Jose State visits the Save Mart Center on Saturday night for the final time in a Western Athletic Conference showdown. Fans who donate blood will receive free admission to the contest.
"We Are Your Team!" - Fresno State continues its three-game homestand on Saturday night at 7 p.m. when the Bulldogs host San Jose State for the final time as a member of the Western Athletic Conference. Tickets are available at www.gobulldogs.com and the Save Mart Center Box Office. Be sure to also follow @RodneyTerry on Twitter for updates all year long.
