Fresno State Athletics
Bulldogs Look to Snap Streak vs. UCI
12/2/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Game Notes: UC Irvine at Fresno State 
GAME 8: UC Irvine (3-2) at Fresno State (1-6)
Dec. 3, 2014 -- 7 p.m. PT -- Fresno, Calif. (Save Mart Center)
TV: Mountain West Network (Paul Loeffler & Randy Rosenbloom)
Radio: 940 AM ESPN Radio & GoBulldogs.com (Paul Loeffler & Randy Rosenbloom)
1600 AM ESPN Deportes (Jesse Beltran)
Series History: Fresno State leads 27-10 (overall) and 16-2 (in games played in Fresno)
Last Meeting: Fresno State 98, UC Irvine 97 [OT] -- (11/8/13 in Irvine, Calif.)
Bulldog Bones
• Fresno State enters Sunday's game with a 1-1 record at home this season.
• Fresno State is playing its 13th game versus a Big West team during Coach Rodney Terry's tenure (fourth season).
• Fresno State is 9-3 vs. the Big West since Terry's arrival.
• Fresno State was projected by the Mountain West media to finish seventh in the regular season conference standings.
• REFERENCE: "Fresno State" (never: FSU, CSUF, Fresno State University, or just simply "Fresno"); ABBREVIATION: Fresno St. or FS
Between the Baselines: Inside the Numbers
• Fresno State junior guard Marvelle Harris leads the team in scoring (15.0 ppg), rebounds (5.9 rpg), assists (3.5 apg) and steals (1.7 spg).
• Harris scored at least 10 points in 31 games in the last two seasons and posted 20 or more points in nine games.
• Fresno State redshirt junior guard Julien Lewis was tabbed as the No. 6 scoring impact transfer on Sports Illustrated's Top 100 forecast.
• Fresno State owns a +13 steal ratio (46-33) and +18 rebound ratio (240-222), including an 82-61 advantage on the offensive glass.
• UC Irvine 7-6 center Mamadou Ndiaye set both UCI and Big West Conference single-season records with 106 blocked shots last season.
'Dogs to Play 13th Game vs. BWC in Last 4 Years
Fresno State is playing its 13th game against a Big West opponent in four seasons. Big West teams are the most played non-conference opponent during Terry's tenure with the Bulldogs owning a 9-3 mark vs. the BWC.
Bulldogs Look to Snap Streak vs. UC Irvine
Fresno State (1-6), who is looking to snap a five-game losing streak, closes a two-game homestand on Wednesday at 7 p.m. PT when the Bulldogs host the Big West's UC Irvine Anteaters. The game will be broadcast live on the Mountain West Network and 940 AM ESPN Radio.
About the UC Irvine Anteaters
The UC Irvine Anteaters are 3-2 on the season, including a 80-72 win over LMU and a 71-54 road loss at then-No. 3 Arizona. UCI returns four starters, including 2014 Big West Freshman of the Year Luke Nelson (12.2 ppg) and 7-6 center and 2014 Big West Defensive Player of the Year Mamadou Ndiaye (12.0 ppg/4.2 rpg). Fresno State leads the all-time series 27-10.
Harris Leading Bulldogs' Backcourt
Fresno State guard Marvelle Harris was honored last season as an honorable mention all-Mountain West selection. As he worked toward preparing for this season, the proven scorer was tasked with learning the ropes as a point guard to help add experienced depth at that position and expand his tools in handling the basketball and facilitating the offense. With 25 assists, 41 rebounds and 12 steals through the first seven games, he already has 11 more assists, four more rebounds and nine more steals than he had during the first seven games last season, when he also led the team in scoring like he is this year, as well. As the Mountain West leader in minutes played last season, he is on track for even more work this season in having already logged 251 minutes (35.9 mpg) compared to 236 minutes (33.7 mpg) in the same stretch to start the year last season.
Versatile Watson Focused on Production
Bulldogs guard/forward Paul Watson, who was named the 2013-14 Mountain West Freshman of the Year, gives Fresno State a versatile option on the wing and the post. Watson played almost exclusively at forward as a freshman and moved out to the wing for the Bulldogs' season-opening loss at Pepperdine before Coach Terry slipped him back down to the "4" one game later. Watson is a team-best 12-for-34 from beyond the 3-point arc this season forcing defenders to guard him on the perimeter in addition to his ability to attack the basket. Watson scored a career-high 28 points in leading Fresno State to a 93-55 victory over Bristol in the home opener.
Lewis Infuses Scoring Spark, Defensive Edge
Junior shooting guard Julien Lewis, who played his first two collegiate seasons for the University of Texas, has quickly provided the immediate impact that Coach Terry envisioned for the 6-4 guard from Galveston, Texas. Lewis is second on the team in scoring (15.0 ppg) and has scored in double figures in six of his seven games this season for Fresno State. His defensive grit has provided a high-pressure extra edge to the Bulldogs' mentality.
Fresno State Announces New Mini-Plan Options
Fresno State Athletics has introduced multiple holiday mini-plans that include flexible offerings for the Bulldogs' upcoming December games and conference play:
3-Game Plan - SDSU or New Mexico and any other 2 games
• $36 - Standard Package (Behind the Baskets)
• $60 - Premier Package (Sideline Sections)
5-Game Plan - Choose Any 4 Games, plus Boise State as the bonus game
• $50 - Standard Package (Behind the Baskets)
• $100 - Premier Package (Sideline Sections)
Fans can purchase mini-plans by calling 278-DOGS, visiting the Fresno State ticket office located in the northeast corner of the Save Mart Center or by logging on to GoBulldogs.com.
