Fresno State Athletics
Bulldogs Finish Italy Tour Undefeated
8/13/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
By Stephen Trembley
strembley@csufresno.edu
www.GoBulldogs.com
LATINA, Italy — The Fresno State men's basketball team wrapped up its Italy Tour in style with an emphatic 90-64 victory over the Latina All-Stars on Thursday night in Latina, Italy.
The win completes a 3-0 undefeated tour of Italy for the Bulldogs, who also beat the Vedano All-Stars and Vicenza All-Stars earlier on the 10-day overseas trip.
"I think our guys had pretty good efforts every night out," Fresno State head coach Rodney Terry said. "I thought we shot the ball pretty well. We've placed an emphasis on our rebounding and we'll keep getting better at that. Our seniors did a really good job doing things that we have asked them to do in leading our team."
The Bulldogs delivered their most complete team effort of the tour with five Bulldogs reaching double figures led by junior college transfer Cullen Russo, who had his tour-best 20 points while making seven of his 12 shots. Russo also had three rebounds, two steals and two assists.
"I think there is an adjustment period for him in Division I basketball," Terry said. "It's the details at this level. Talent wise, Cullen definitely has the talent to compete at this level. He just has to keep adjusting to the pace and we expect him to give us a consistent effort every time."
Junior Paul Watson added 15 points with five rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block while senior guard Marvelle Harris posted 13 points for his third-straight double-digit effort on 5-for-6 from the field.
"We've gotten closer as a team," Harris said of the Bulldogs' growth during the tour. "It's going to help us improve during the season when it comes to crunch-time plays and finishing games. We have a lot of different guys that bring different things. We have to stay consistent, not take any plays off and keep building from this point."
Junior forward Karachi Edo dominated the boards en route to a double-double with 12 points and a tour-best 16 rebounds and senior guard Julien Lewis had 10 points with four rebounds, three assists and two steals. Sophomore Terrell Carter II powered his way to seven points while freshmen guards Sam Bittner and Grant Shell each had three points and two assists.
Over the past few days, the Bulldogs have explored Florence and Rome, including a guided tour of the historic Colosseum and Forum. The team will spend Friday in the Vatican City with a special tour of the Vatican and Sistine Chapel before returning to the United States on Saturday.
Fresno State opens the 2015-16 season at home on Nov. 13 when the 'Dogs host the Pepperdine Waves.
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 - Colosseum/Forum
Aug. 13: Game 3: Fresno State 90, Latina All-Stars 64 (Latina)
Aug. 14 - Rome/Vatican City
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.
