Bulldogs battle back before falling at CSUB, 71-63

Tuesday, November 22

Bakersfield, CA

7 p.m. PT

Fresno State

2-2

Bakersfield

3-1

Fresno State

CSU Bakersfield

Photo by: Kiel Maddox

Bulldogs battle back before falling at CSUB, 71-63

11/22/2016 10:27:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score: CSUB 71, Fresno State 63

The Fresno State men’s basketball team had its four-game road win streak snapped in a 71-63 loss at CSU Bakersfield on Tuesday night.

By: By Stephen Trembley / Director of New Media

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. --- The Fresno State men's basketball team never gave up as the Bulldogs tried to fight their way out of a 22-point hole, but ran out of time in losing on the road 71-63 to the CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners on Tuesday night inside a sold out Icardo Center.

Fresno State (2-2) struggled in executing some of its offensive halfcourt sets and gave up too much in transition – getting outscored 17-2 in fast break situations. CSUB (3-1) made enough late in the shot clock shots, including a halftime buzzer beating deep high-arcing 3-pointer, and asserted itself inside while holding on for the win.

Fresno State junior guard Jaron Hopkins recorded his first career double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, but also committed six of Fresno State's 16 costly turnovers. The Bulldogs had only nine offensive rebounds, including three on one sequence, and a season-low seven assists, while the Roadrunners recorded 17 assists and 18 offensive rebounds.

Fresno State senior forward Cullen Russo added 12 points and junior guard Jahmel Taylor added 10 points. Freshman forward Bryson Williams scored tallied a career-best 11 points, four rebounds, and two blocks. Sophomore guard Deshon Taylor scored all nine of his season-best nine points at the free throw line (9-for-10, 90 percent).

CSUB sharpshooter Jaylin Airington had 28 points, six rebounds and three assists to lead the Roadrunners, who are also coming off an appearance in the 2016 NCAA Tournament.

How it happened: Fresno State fell behind by 22 points midway through the 2nd half and CSUB was content to slow the game down, but the Bulldogs fought back.

After CSUB built a 55-33 lead, Fresno State answered with a 19-8 run over the next 10:20 before the Roadrunners were able to put the game away at the free throw line.

Quotable:

Rodney Terry, Fresno State head coach
On tonight's loss…
"We knew that we were going to have to take care of the basketball against this team. We had 10 turnovers in the first half, and that was not good for us. I don't take anything away from Bakersfield – they played really hard and fast the entire game. We had a lot of guys trying to do too much in terms of dribbling and running the clock, and that was where we made a lot of the errors."

On missed opportunities…
"We missed our plays tonight too. There were a lot of plays that we missed that could have built momentum on our game for us tonight. We need to make those plays."

Team Notes:

The loss was Fresno State's first to CSU Bakersfield since 2007 when the Bulldogs were edged 65-64 on Nov. 17, 2007 at Rabobank Arena in downtown Bakersfield.
After the loss, Fresno State still leads the all-time series against CSU Bakersfield with the advantage closing to nine wins and five losses in a series dating back to the 1922-23 season.
Fresno State had its four-game road win streak snapped. Entering the game, the Bulldogs were tied for the second-longest true road game win streak in the nation – one back of Kansas, who has won five straight true road games. It was Fresno State's first road loss since losing 77-72 in overtime at Nevada on Feb. 13, 2016.
Fresno State was outrebounded by CSUB 43-31.
Fresno State dropped to 3-9 when playing on Tuesdays since the start of the 2011-12 season.
Fresno State converted a season-high 79.3 percent (23-for-29) of its free throw attempts.

Player Notes:

Jaron Hopkins – 12 pts., 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal
Hopkins recorded his first double-double … scored in double-digits for the third time in his career … he has a team-high 11 steals on the season.

Bryson Williams – 11 pts., 4 rebounds, 2 blocks
Williams posted a career-high 11 points, four rebounds and two blocks … this was the his first time scoring in double-digits.

Cullen Russo – 12 points, 4 rebounds
Russo scored in double-digits for the 15th time in his career and third time this season.

Up Next: Fresno State will play at Oregon State on Friday at 6 pm. PT inside Gill Coliseum. Friday's game will be broadcast live on the Pac-12 Networks and 940 AM ESPN Radio.