Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Utah State
Bulldogs Earn 61-52 Win over Utah State
1/7/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Box Score | Quotes | Notes | Photo Gallery 
By Stephen Trembley
strembley@csufresno.edu
www.GoBulldogs.com
FRESNO, Calif. --- Bulldogs' junior guard Marvelle Harris scored a game-high 18 points to lead the Fresno State men's basketball team to a 61-52 victory over Utah State on Wednesday night at the Save Mart Center.
"We knew we had to come in and compete at a very high level tonight," Fresno State head coach Rodney Terry said. "They came in here with a lot of momentum. We knew we had our work cut out for us. We've seen a ton of zone all year. We didn't settle for jump shots. We had a ton of points in the paint. Tonight, our guys did a great job."
Junior guard Julien Lewis added 15 points and senior forward Alex Davis made all seven of his shots for a season-high 14 points for the Bulldogs (7-9, 2-1 Mountain West). Davis and teammate Karachi Edo combined to swat seven blocks - four by Edo and three by Davis.
"Alex is finally healthy," Terry said of Davis. "It took him a long time to get going again. He's at his best when he's able to be all over the place. He's moving better than he's moved all year long. Karachi (Edo) has been a great teammate. We need a spark off the bench and he brings that energy off the bench."
Harris also posted seven rebounds and six assists to go with his 12th straight double-digit scoring effort.
"It was difficult being injured and not being able to give 100 percent," Davis said. "Sometimes you just have to rest and get healthy. I give Marvelle the most credit. He's doing an unbelievable job. Our team has come together as a good group."
Jalen Moore scored 17 points and David Collette 16 for the Aggies (9-6, 2-1), who had their three-game winning streak snapped by Fresno State.
The Bulldogs built an 11-point lead in the first half - when they made 11 straight shots and led 35-26 at the break. Utah State completely erased the double-digit lead by starting the second half with a 13-4 run that tied the game at 39-39 when Moore hit a pull-jumper with just over 15 minutes to play.
But Fresno State, who has faced adversity head-on throughout the season, responded.
Lewis hit a jumper then made a steal and a breakaway dunk to get Fresno State back up by nine with 6:54 left. Utah State later closed to within five but a resounding dunk by Davis and five free throws from Harris in the final 1:37 sealed the win. Fresno State outrebounded USU 39-27 and outshot the Aggies 48.1 percent to 41.2 percent from the field.
The win moved Fresno State to 6-1 at home this season and marked the Bulldogs' 10th win in their last 13 regular season Mountain West games.
Up Next
Fresno State will head out on a two-game road trip to Nevada on Saturday and San Jose State on Wednesday. Both games will be broadcast on the Mountain West Network and 940 AM ESPN Radio.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
"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.
