Fresno State Athletics

Defense, Late Baskets Fuel 'Dogs to Win over Pack
1/24/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Box Score | Notes | Photo Gallery
By Stephen Trembley
strembley@csufresno.edu
www.GoBulldogs.com
FRESNO, Calif. --- Fresno State sophomore Paul Watson scored 18 points, grabbed nine rebounds and blocked a career-high five shots to lead the Bulldogs' men's basketball team to a 66-62 victory over Nevada on Saturday afternoon.
There were two ties and three lead changes over the final five minutes, the last coming with 2:37 left when Fresno State's Cezar Guerrero hit a pair of free throws to give the Bulldogs (10-10, 5-2 Mountain West) a 58-57 lead.
Nevada (6-12, 2-4) would have four chances to take the lead over the next two possessions, but the Fresno State defense made big plays to fend off the Wolf Pack's comeback bid. Eric Cooper Jr. missed from 3-point range and A.J. West missed three layups, two of which came after offensive rebounds, strongly contested inside by Watson and fellow Bulldog sophomore Karachi Edo.
"We had a great crowd here tonight again and it gave us energy," Fresno State head coach Rodney Terry said. "We knew coming in Nevada was a very physical team and they were really going to challenge our guys on the glass. They were aggressive. I thought in those final four minutes, our players made plays. And that's what it takes to win in this league."
Marvelle Harris made a 3-pointer and then a lay-up on the ensuing two Bulldog possessions put the game away. Harris finished with 15 points and seven boards.
"Coach Terry just kept telling me to be aggressive and not to relax or to get comfortable," Harris said. "We knew that late in the game that I might need to step up and that's what happened."
Fresno State improved to 9-1 this season when leading with five minutes to play. Cooper led Nevada with 20 points.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Up Next
Fresno State heads out on a two-game Mountain West road trip at San Diego State on Tuesday and Colorado State on Saturday.
"Be Bold!" --- Mini-plans for the 2014-15 Fresno State men's basketball season are available starting at $36 through the Bulldog Ticket Office at the Save Mart Center, over the phone at 559-278-DOGS and online at www.GoBulldogs.com.