Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
12-7 (3-3MW)
San Diego State
13-6 (6-0MW)
'Dogs Rally to Force OT, Nearly Upset Aztecs
1/19/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
By Stephen Trembley
strembley@csufresno.edu
www.GoBulldogs.com
SAN DIEGO --- The Fresno State men's basketball team almost did something that no team had done in 156 tries - rally from a deficit while trailing a tenacious San Diego State defensive-minded team with five minutes to play.
But almost isn't good enough, and Bulldogs' head coach Rodney Terry is the first to stress that after the 'Dogs lost 73-67 to the Mountain West-leading Aztecs in overtime late Tuesday night at Viejas Arena.
"We just said you know what, you have to go in there, and you have to be men," Terry said said. "You have to go in there strong, keep attacking all game long. Without question (it was physical). (San Diego State) played well. They're a hard team to play against at home, and on the road. Their defense stays at home, and travels. They're one of the better defensive teams in the country."
Fresno State (12-7, 3-3 Mountain West) rallied from a 53-46 deficit with 5:47 remaining by getting some big defensive stops and finished regulation on a 11-4 run - capped by a miraculous buzzer-beating 3-pointer off the hands of senior guard Cezar Guerrero.
The rally's defining clutch play came as the Bulldogs trailed by three and required Guerrero to get an offensive rebound and then sprint to get behind the 3-point arc before sending up the prayer.
In overtime, San Diego State regrouped and turned to Trey Kell, who finished with a career-high 27 points, for a huge 3-pointer just before the shot clock would have expired with 2:24 on the clock.
With the shot clock running down, Kell took the long, off-balance shot that swished in for a 65-61 lead. The Aztecs scored their last eight points from the free throw line in the final 58.7 seconds to seal their sixth straight victory to open conference play.
San Diego State had been only 9 of 20 from the line in regulation but were 13 of 16 in overtime. Zylan Cheatham made 3 of 4 free throws in the final minute, Winston Shepard and Skylar Spencer each made two and Kell hit one.
Kell was at the line with 8.8 seconds left in regulation and the chance to give the Aztecs a four-point lead. He made the first free throw but missed the second to set up the frenetic final sequence in regulation.
SDSU (13-6) is now three games ahead of the Bulldogs in the league race and one and a half games in front of Boise State, who currently sits in second.
Junior forward Karachi Edo led Fresno State with 15 points and 14 rebounds, while Torren Jones had 13 and Paul Watson posted 12 points. Senior guard Marvelle Harris also had 12 points while making just four of his 20 shots.
Kell's previous career-high was 19 at Colorado State last Wednesday night. He scored in double digits for the sixth straight game. Cheatham and Jeremy Hemsley had 11 apiece.
Fresno State will finish its two-game road swing with a trip to play at Air Force on Saturday at 11 a.m. PT. The game will be broadcast on ROOT Sports, the Mountain West Network (select areas) and 940 AM ESPN Radio.
"Be Bold." ---The flagship radio stations for Fresno State men's basketball are 940 AM ESPN Radio and 1600 AM ESPN Deportes.
