Fresno State Athletics

Photo by: Nathaniel Chu-Triple Crown Sports
Free throw line deflates Bulldogs in 59-57 loss to Evansville
11/21/2017 9:23:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Fresno State shot just 2-for-11 at the free throw line before three late free throws lifted the Bulldogs to a 35.7 percent clip at the charity stripe in a two-point loss to undefeated Evansville.
CANCUN, Mexico – The Fresno State men's basketball team suffered a 59-57 loss to the undefeated Evansville Purple Aces on Tuesday night at the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya in the Cancun Challenge.
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How it happened: Fresno State (2-2) couldn't overcome shooting just 35.7 percent (5-for-14) at the free throw line, which included the Bulldogs missing nine of their first 11 free throw attempts. Evansville (5-0) turned to the Missouri Valley's leading scorer Ryan Taylor for a game-best 21 points on 9-for-19 shooting despite the 'Dogs forcing 17 Purple Aces turnovers.
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Junior guard Deshon Taylor scored a team-best 12 points for Fresno State, with sophomore forward Bryson Williams recording his second career double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
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Neither team led by more than five points at any point in the game.
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The Bulldogs erased a five-point deficit in the final four minutes before giving up the eventual game winner to Ryan Taylor with eight seconds left on the clock. Trailing by two, Fresno State senior guard Jaron Hopkins pulled from 32 feet in transition with four seconds left and missed the desperation 3-point attempt as the 'Dogs went 0-for-5 from beyond the 3-point arc in the last two minutes.
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Quotes:
Rodney Terry, Fresno State head coach
"We're having a hard time finishing lay ups. We're missing a lot of easy shots that we have to make. Those are big plays. They deflate you. We have to shoot it better. That's just the bottom line."
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On his team shooting 5-for-14 at the free throw line…
At the end of the day, we're getting there (to the free throw line). We're trying to get there – it's an emphasis every game to get there. You've got to make them. We have to go to work on them and continue to try to get better. It's just repetition. There's no magic formula on how you get better with it, you just have to put the work in."
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On defensive blown assignments…
"We blew a lot of coverages tonight in terms of scouting report stuff – who we're guarding and how we're trying to guard guys. At the end of the day, we know (Ryan Taylor) is their top scorer. He's the guy that they have to go to down the stretch to make something happen. Give him credit. He made big shots when he had to make big shots."
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On a quick turnaround in playing George Mason on Wednesday…
"Quick turnaround tomorrow. We can't have a hangover. We have to come out and play, come out and compete. We have to get off the mat. We knew this year was going to be about that. You've got to fight through adversity and find a way to try to get something done."
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Notes:
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Fresno State's next home game is Nov. 26 at 12 p.m. PT when the 'Dogs host the MSU Bobcats in their final of four games this season part of the Cancun Challenge. Tickets are on sale starting at just $10 through www.Ticketmaster.com and the Save Mart Center Box Office.
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A limited number of single-game center section lower bowl tickets (Sections 109, 110, 122 and 123) are also available for $40.
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"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.
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How it happened: Fresno State (2-2) couldn't overcome shooting just 35.7 percent (5-for-14) at the free throw line, which included the Bulldogs missing nine of their first 11 free throw attempts. Evansville (5-0) turned to the Missouri Valley's leading scorer Ryan Taylor for a game-best 21 points on 9-for-19 shooting despite the 'Dogs forcing 17 Purple Aces turnovers.
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Junior guard Deshon Taylor scored a team-best 12 points for Fresno State, with sophomore forward Bryson Williams recording his second career double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
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Neither team led by more than five points at any point in the game.
Â
The Bulldogs erased a five-point deficit in the final four minutes before giving up the eventual game winner to Ryan Taylor with eight seconds left on the clock. Trailing by two, Fresno State senior guard Jaron Hopkins pulled from 32 feet in transition with four seconds left and missed the desperation 3-point attempt as the 'Dogs went 0-for-5 from beyond the 3-point arc in the last two minutes.
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Quotes:
Rodney Terry, Fresno State head coach
"We're having a hard time finishing lay ups. We're missing a lot of easy shots that we have to make. Those are big plays. They deflate you. We have to shoot it better. That's just the bottom line."
Â
On his team shooting 5-for-14 at the free throw line…
At the end of the day, we're getting there (to the free throw line). We're trying to get there – it's an emphasis every game to get there. You've got to make them. We have to go to work on them and continue to try to get better. It's just repetition. There's no magic formula on how you get better with it, you just have to put the work in."
Â
On defensive blown assignments…
"We blew a lot of coverages tonight in terms of scouting report stuff – who we're guarding and how we're trying to guard guys. At the end of the day, we know (Ryan Taylor) is their top scorer. He's the guy that they have to go to down the stretch to make something happen. Give him credit. He made big shots when he had to make big shots."
Â
On a quick turnaround in playing George Mason on Wednesday…
"Quick turnaround tomorrow. We can't have a hangover. We have to come out and play, come out and compete. We have to get off the mat. We knew this year was going to be about that. You've got to fight through adversity and find a way to try to get something done."
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Notes:
- Fresno State sophomore Bryson Williams posted his second career double-double by posting 11 points and 11 rebounds. Williams' 11 rebounds tied a career-high.
- Fresno State junior guard Deshon Taylor scored a team-high 12 points with five assists and five steals. He also went 3-for-3 at the free throw line and has now made 14 consecutive free throws.
- Fresno State dropped to 8-2 in its last ten games played as part of exempt non-conference tournaments.
- Overall, Fresno State is now 12-5 in its last 17 non-conference or postseason tournament contests, including non-conference tournaments, MW Tournament, NCAA Tournament and NIT.
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Fresno State's next home game is Nov. 26 at 12 p.m. PT when the 'Dogs host the MSU Bobcats in their final of four games this season part of the Cancun Challenge. Tickets are on sale starting at just $10 through www.Ticketmaster.com and the Save Mart Center Box Office.
Â
A limited number of single-game center section lower bowl tickets (Sections 109, 110, 122 and 123) are also available for $40.
Â
"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.
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Team Stats
UE
FS
FG%
.431
.386
3FG%
.667
.400
FT%
.875
.357
RB
36
30
TO
17
10
STL
4
13
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
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