Bulldogs grounded by Falcons, 81-72

Wednesday, January 11

USAF Academy, CO

6 p.m. PT

Fresno State

10-7, 2-3MW

Air Force

9-8, 2-2MW

Fresno State

Air Force

Photo by: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Bulldogs grounded by Falcons, 81-72

1/11/2017 8:43:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

The Fresno State men’s basketball team returns to action on Saturday at 4 p.m. when the Bulldogs host Mountain West leader Boise State at the Save Mart Center. Tickets are available starting at $15.

By: Stephen Trembley / Director of New Media

]USAFA, Colo. --- The Fresno State men's basketball team lost 81-72 at Air Force on Wednesday evening inside Clune Arena.

How it happened: Fresno State (10-7, 2-3 Mountain West) reduced a 14-point first half deficit to just two shortly before halftime, but the Bulldogs could never close the gap as Air Force's sharp-shooting, crisp passes and zone defense helped the Falcons earn their ninth home victory of the season.

Air Force (9-8, 2-2 MW) was led by Hayden Graham, who had 21 points, eight rebounds, six assists and two blocks.

Fresno State senior guard/forward Paul Watson scored a team-best 20 points in the Bulldogs' fourth straight road loss.

After trailing 24-10 midway through the first half, Fresno State answered with a 10-0 run as the 'Dogs pulled within 31-29 on a Jahmel Taylor 3-pointer with 1:46 before halftime.

In the second half, the Falcons jumped ahead 54-41 before the Bulldogs rattled off a 14-5 run to make it 59-55 with 8:13 to play.

Fresno State, who had entered the game having won 12 of its last 13 in its next game after a loss, got no closer and struggled to match Air Force's effort and execution for most of the night.

Quoteable:

Rodney Terry, Fresno State head coach
"It's never been easy over here. We've had possession games where we were able to pull something out, but tonight, we played an older team that got off to a good start and played well. You have to make shots against Air Force. They pack it in and force you to make shots. We got unbelievable wide open looks and we didn't make shots."

Player Notes:

Paul Watson – 20 points (6-for-12 FG; 3-for-8 3FGA)
Moved into the Top 20 on the Bulldogs' all-time scoring list with 1,222 career points – passing Ja'Vance Coleman (2004-07) … now five points away from tying Demetrius Porter (1998-2001) for 19th (1,227 career points) … scored at least 20 points for the eighth time in his career (third this season).

Team Notes:

Fresno State lost its fourth consecutive road game, including all three road games during Mountain West play this season.
Fresno State has lost two of its last three games in its next game after a loss.
Fresno State dropped to 7-2 all-time when playing Air Force. This was the Bulldogs' first loss to the Falcons since a 62-50 road loss on Jan. 30, 2013. Fresno State had won the previous seven games in the series.
This was the third time this season Fresno State's defense allowed 80 or more points.
Fresno State dropped to 0-4 this season in games decided between six to nine points.
Fresno State was outrebounded 39-23 (-16), which was the Bulldogs' second biggest rebounding deficit this season. (UTSA, -25)
Fresno State junior guard Jahmel Taylor made multiple 3-pointers for the 12th time this season.

Next up: Fresno State returns to the Save Mart Center to host the Boise State Broncos on Saturday at 4 p.m. PT. Tickets are available starting at $15.

The game will also be broadcast live on the Mountain West Network and 940 AM ESPN Radio.

"Just the Ticket to Build Our Community" – The Bulldog Scholarship Fund gives Bulldog alumni, fans and friends the opportunity to support Fresno State Athletics and the student-athletes who inspire them. For information about how you can support the Bulldog Scholarship Fund, please visit www.bulldogscholarshipfund.com or call 559-278-7160.