Fresno State Athletics
Bulldogs Eye Sweep of Defending Champs
1/25/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 25, 2015
Game 21: Fresno State (10-10, 5-2 MW) at San Diego State (15-5, 5-2 MW)
Jan. 27, 2015 -- 6 p.m. PT -- San Diego, Calif. (Viejas Arena)
TV: CBS Sports Network (Carter Blackburn/Pete Gillen)
Radio: 940 AM ESPN Radio & www.GoBulldogs.com (Paul Loeffler/Randy Rosenbloom)
Series History: San Diego State leads 58-46 (overall) and 37-16 (games played in San Diego)
Last Meeting: Fresno State 59, San Diego State 57 (1/3/15 - Fresno, Calif.)
Coming Up Next: at Colorado State (1/31/15); vs San Jose State (2/4/15)
Bulldog Bones
• Fresno State is seeking its first season sweep of the Aztecs since 1999.
• Fresno State is vying for its first 6-2 start in conference play since starting 6-2 during the 2003-04 season; first-ever since joining the MW in 2012.
• Fresno State has won five of its last six games and nine of the last 13.
• Fresno State is one of two MW teams, along with San Diego State, to have gone 13-4 in its last 17 regular season conference games.
• The last time the 'Dogs won at SDSU was a 95-84 win on Feb. 25, 1999.
• REFERENCE: "Fresno State" (never: FSU, CSUF, Fresno State University, or just simply "Fresno"); ABBREVIATION: Fresno St. or FS
Honors Candidate: Marvelle Harris, Guard
• Fresno State junior guard Marvelle Harris leads the MW in steals (43, 2.2 spg) and minutes played (737 minutes, 36.8 mpg); ranks No. 2 in assists (3.7 apg), No. 3 in scoring (17.9 ppg) & No. 10 in rebounding (5.2 rpg).
• Harris ranks No. 25 on Fresno State's all-time scoring list (1,138 pts) - four points away from tying Jerry Pender for No. 24 (1,142 pts).
• Harris has scored 10 or more points the last 16 games & 17 of the last 18.
• Harris is averaging a team-best 22.8 points while making 52.5 percent of his field goal attempts (62-for-118) in road games this season.
Between the Baselines: Team Notes
• Fresno State is tied for the MW lead with three players in the conference's Top 20 scoring leaders and ranks second in steals and steals per game.
• Fresno State owns a +49 steal ratio (157-108) & +27 block ratio (85-58).
• Fresno State has not committed more turnovers than its opponents in eight consecutive games and 16 of its 20 games this season; 92 of 122 games (75.4%) during Coach Rodney Terry's arrival in 2011.
• Fresno State is 10-4 this year when holding an opponent under 70 points.
• Fresno State is 4-1 this year when four Bulldogs score at least 10 points.
• Fresno State has won its last two road games this season.
Bulldogs Eye Sweep of Defending Champs
Fresno State (10-10, 5-2 Mountain West) heads south to visit San Diego State (15-5, 5-2 MW) on Tuesday at 6 p.m. PT at the Viejas Arena. The game will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network, 940 AM ESPN Radio and www.GoBulldogs.com. Later this week, Fresno State will travel to Colorado State for a Saturday afternoon game in Fort Collins, also on CBSSN.
About the San Diego State Aztecs
The San Diego State Aztecs are 15-5 on the season. The Aztecs have won their last 25 home games. SDSU is led by Aqeel Quinn (10.6 ppg) and Winston Shepard (10.6 ppg). SDSU leads the all-time series 58-46.
FIRST MEETING: Fresno State 59, No. 25 SDSU 57
Fresno State built a big lead, held off a late run and never trailed in a 59-57 win over then-No. 25 San Diego State 59-57. It was the Bulldogs' first win over a ranked team since beating No. 14 Oklahoma State on Feb. 20, 2002.
Four Bulldogs Averaging Double-Digits
Fresno State's Marvelle Harris leads four Bulldogs averaging over 10 points per game - Harris (17.9 ppg), Cezar Guerrero (13.0 ppg), Paul Watson (12.2 ppg) and Julien Lewis (11.4 ppg). Fresno State is the one of three MW schools (Utah State and Colorado State) with three players ranking in the Top 20 of the conference for season scoring average.
Harris Leading MW, Bulldogs' Backcourt
Fresno State junior guard Marvelle Harris is third in the Mountain West in scoring (17.9 ppg) through the Bulldogs' first 20 games of the season. Harris is one of the team's leading free throw (75.9%, 85-for-112), 3-point (32.1%, 35-for-109) and field goal shooters (45.8%, 119-for-260). Harris is building off last season, when he was an honorable mention All-MW honoree and helped Fresno State reach the CBI Championship Series.
Versatile Watson Focused on Production
Bulldogs guard/forward Paul Watson - 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 this season. Coach Terry has used Watson in both slots this year and he has stretched opposing defenses behind 33-for-95 (34.7%) 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 a 93-55 victory over Bristol on Nov. 17.
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 fourth on the team in scoring (11.3 ppg) and has scored in double figures in 12 games this season for Fresno State. His defensive grit has provided a high-pressure extra edge to the Bulldogs' mentality. He scored a career-high 29 points in Fresno State's 71-68 loss at Pacific.
Davis A 2015 Allstate Good Works Team Nominee
Fresno State senior forward Alex Davis is one of 158 nominees for the 2015 Allstate NABC Good Works Team. Davis is a team leader during community service activities at Children's Hospital Central California and the local Boy's and Girl's Club. This prestigious award recognizes "a commitment to enriching the lives of others and contributing to the greater good."
Edo Making Big Strides in Sophomore Season
Karachi Edo has been a fan favorite since his arrival at Fresno State in 2013 for his high-flying athleticism and passionate play. On the floor, Edo has made significant progress upping his scoring average to 9.1 ppg as a sophomore this season from 4.0 ppg as a freshman. He is also averaging 1.3 more rebounds per game (up to 4.6 rpg this season from 3.3 rpg last season).
Defense, Late Shots Fuel 'Dogs to Win over Pack
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.
