Fresno State Athletics
Watson Leads 'Dogs to Win Over Vicenza All-Stars
8/10/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Aug. 10, 2015
By Stephen Trembley
strembley@csufresno.edu
www.GoBulldogs.com
VICENZA, Italy -- The Fresno State men's basketball team used a dominant second half to beat the Vicenza All-Stars 83-67 on Monday evening in Vicenza. With the win, Fresno State improved to 2-0 on its Italy Tour.
"We got off to a great start and had to battle back in a physical game," Fresno State head coach Rodney Terry said. "We played against a bunch of older professional players and got up and down the floor really well with our offense, but I thought our defense played much better as well."
Fresno State junior guard Paul Watson headlined an impressive team effort as Watson scored 29 points with 10 rebounds, three blocks, one assist and one steal. He also went 3-for-3 at the free throw line. Watson, a 6-8 versatile wing, shot 50 percent from the field (10-for-20, including a 5-for-8 clip from beyond the 3-point arc).
"Paul got a chance to really get out and run the floor tonight and made some highlight reel plays from that position," Terry said. "He got to the corners like we wanted to offensively, spread the offense and guys found him for some open looks."
Senior guard Marvelle Harris added 18 points, four assists and two steals while sophomore center Terrell Carter II also reached double-figures with 10 points while converting five of his seven shots and grabbing three rebounds.
Senior point guard Cezar Guerrero posted nine points, four assists and four rebounds. Karachi Edo had a big second half with all eight of his points coming after halftime. Edo reeled in a total of nine rebounds during the game - one more than his eight in the first game of the Italy Tour.
The Bulldogs' bench also contributed as senior guard Julien Lewis had six points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals. Freshman Sam Bittner earned quality playing time for his effort that led to five rebounds and a steal with a slew of hustle plays and effective box outs. Junior college transfer Cullen Russo chipped in four points and four rebounds.
The Bulldogs raced out to a 24-14 lead, but found themselves trailing 38-37 at halftime. Fresno State responded by outscoring the Vicenza All-Stars by 17 points (46-29) in the second half, including a 13-point advantage (27-14) in the fourth quarter alone.
"I thought our guys executed all night," Terry said. "We got great looks and were really strong with the ball and on drives. Our guys adjusted and adapted to the game."
After spending the last two exploring days in Verona and Venice, the Bulldogs will travel to Florence on Tuesday and then head to Rome for its final stop of the 10-day tour. Fresno State's next and last game of the tour will be Thursday at 11 a.m. PT when the 'Dogs play the Latina All-Stars.
For live updates of the trip, be sure to follow @FresnoStateMBB on Twitter.
Fresno State Men's Basketball - Italy Tour 2015
Aug. 6 - Travel Day
Aug. 7 - Arrive in Milan and Travel to Lake Como
Aug. 8 - Game 1: Fresno State 75, Vedano All-Stars 52 (Vedano Olona)
Aug. 9 - Travel to Verona & Venice
Aug. 10 - Game 2: Fresno State 83, Vicenza All-Stars 67 (Vicenza)
Aug. 11 - Travel to Florence
Aug. 12 - Rome
Aug. 13: Game 3: Fresno State vs. Latina All-Stars (Rome)
Aug. 14 - Rome
Aug. 15 - Travel Day Back to United States
"Be Bold." -- To stay connected with the Bulldogs during the team's Italy Tour, be sure to follow @FresnoStateMBB and #DogsItalyTour on Twitter. Reports from Italy will also be available at www.GoBulldogs.com throughout the tour.
