Bulldogs shatter records, beat Lobos to climb into 4th

Saturday, January 13

Fresno, Calif.

4 p.m. PT

Fresno State

13-6, 3-3MW

New Mexico

8-11, 3-3MW

New Mexico

Fresno State

Photo by: Keith Kountz

Bulldogs shatter records, beat Lobos to climb into 4th

1/13/2018 7:19:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Fresno State has started 3-3 in Mountain West play for the third straight season. The Bulldogs will play two road games before returning to host UNLV on Jan. 23 at 8 p.m. PT in their next home game.

By: Stephen Trembley / Director of New Media

FRESNO, Calif. --- The Fresno State men's basketball team defeated the New Mexico Lobos 89-80 on Saturday at the Save Mart Center in record-setting fashion.

Fresno State (13-6, 3-3 Mountain West) has now started conference played 3-3 through six games for the third straight season and the Bulldogs have climbed into a tie for fourth place in the Mountain West standings. The Bulldogs set a new school record for a single game 3-point field goal percentage by making nine of their 12 3-point field goal attempts (75 percent). That was nearly four percentage points better than the previous mark of 71.4 percent recorded twice previously in program history, with the last time coming back against Air Force in 1996.

New Mexico (8-10, 3-3 MW) got a career-high 21 points from freshman Makuach Maluach in the loss, which saw the 'Dogs win the turnover battle over the Lobos, who had entered as the league's leader in turnover margin.

The Bulldogs will next play two road games with Fresno State traveling to play at San Diego State on Wednesday at 8 p.m. PT and Air Force on Jan. 20 at 1 p.m. PT. The next home game for the 'Dogs is Jan. 23 at 8 p.m. PT when UNLV visits the Save Mart Center, with tickets on sale starting at $15.

How it happened: Fresno State made 15 of its first 18 shots while converting a season-high 69.2 percent (18-for-26) from the floor in the first half.

The Bulldogs led by as many as 14 before the Lobos charged back – evening the score at 40-40 – but Jaron Hopkins floated in a basket for the 'Dogs in the waning seconds before the break. Fresno State led 42-40 at halftime, which was the Bulldogs' 15th halftime lead in 19 games this season.

The offensive fireworks continued throughout the second half as the Bulldogs and the Lobos battled down the stretch before Fresno State pulled away.

With the 'Dogs trailing 64-59 midway through the second half, Fresno State responded with a 19-2 run to take the lead for good – with all 19 points during the crucial push scored by the Bulldogs' backcourt.

Fresno State junior guard Deshon Taylor posted a game-high 22 points – all scored in the second half – to lead five Bulldogs in double figures. Jahmel Taylor added 16 points for the Bulldogs, who also got 15 points from Bryson Williams and 14 points from Ray Bowles, Jr.

Fresno State senior point guard Jaron Hopkins finished with 13 points, nine rebounds and four assists while making six of his 11 field goal attempts.

The Bulldogs set multiple records, including shooting a school record 75 percent from beyond the 3-point arc (9-for-12 3FG) and a Save Mart Center record 65.3 percent from the field (32-for-49 FG). This was the fourth time in school history the 'Dogs converted at least 60 percent of its field goal attempts in a game at the Save Mart Center.

Player Notes:

Deshon Taylor – 22 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal
The junior guard led the Bulldogs in scoring for the 16^th time this season … scored in double figures for the 18^th time this season, 34^th time in his career … tied for team-high assists with four … went 3-for-5 from beyond the 3-point arc and 9-for-12 from the free throw line.

Jaron Hopkins – 13 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block
The senior guard scored in double figures for the sixth time this season … led the Bulldogs in rebounds for the fourth time this season … tied for team-high assists with four … was 6-for-11 from the field.

Bryson Williams – 15 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists
The sophomore forward scored in double figures for the 14^th time this season … went 7-for-9 from the field … recorded career high assists with three … played a team high 35 minutes.

Team Notes:

Fresno State has started 3-3 in Mountain West play for the third straight season.
Fresno State has now won 20 of its last 26 games in its next game after a loss.
Fresno State has now won 33 consecutive games when scoring 70 points before its opponent.
Fresno State has now won 11 consecutive games when at least four Bulldogs score 10 or more points.
Fresno State has now won 52 of its last 55 games when leading with five minutes remaining in the second half.
Fresno State has now led at halftime in 15 of 19 games this season (13-2 when leading at halftime this season).
Fresno State is now 9-0 this season when scoring 80 or more points.

Quotes:
Senior guard Ray Bowles on how he feels after setting a Save Mart Center record by shooting 65.3% from the floor…
"We were able to get things done that we wanted to on offense. We knew coming into today that we wanted to control the paint. I think all of our shots tonight were good shots, even the ones we missed were pretty good. I think that being able to share the ball on offense gave us a great look and resulted in us shooting at such a high percentage."

Senior guard Jaron Hopkins on the pace of the game…
"It was an up tempo game, that is just how New Mexico plays. We knew there were going to be a lot of possessions. We just had to make the right decisions and press every time."

On practice since Tuesday's loss against Boise State…
"It has been pretty hard and intense as always. We just tried to get back to the basics. We practiced guarding guys without fouling; we kind of got in a slump with our fouls. We just need to keep working at it and continue to get better without fouling."

Head Coach Rodney Terry on what he takes away from this win…
"New Mexico has been playing some really good basketball. They have done a great job with that program this year in terms of getting guys to buy in to what they are trying to do in Paul Weir's first year there. We knew coming in that we were going to have to value taking care of the basketball. It was going to be a high possession basketball game. I thought our guys did a really good job at attacking and making decisive, simple plays. I thought we did a nice job of finishing around the basket tonight."

On getting more shots in tonight…
"You look around the country, this time of year is always the time for that. Everybody tries to capitalize on getting extra shooting workouts in this time of year. A lot of times, teams are shooting higher this time of year because they get a ton of shots up. We always try to entice our guys to go game speed and shoot game shots in practice so when it comes down to the game, it will come natural to you. We did a good job tonight. We found guys who were ready to take some shots and knock them down."

On Deshon Taylor scoring all 22 points in the second half…
"It is not a concern at all. If you look at our record, we are 10-1 when we have 15 or more assists. We share the basketball and are out there moving. A lot of the time when him or JT aren't scoring, they are still helping our team because they are guarding and sharing the basketball. It gives other guys the opportunity to play. Our emphasis early in the game was to try to establish an inside presence and I thought we did a nice job at that tonight."

On Deshon Taylor's frustration fouls…
"He is a young player and a young guy. Young people are going to continue to figure it out. If he had it all figured out, he would be a pro and he's not. All I ask of my guys is to go out there and compete, go as hard as they can go and show they care. I know he cares. I don't fault any of my players for the mistakes they make. We all make mistakes. It is a learning situation for him. He has to play smarter, but a lot of guys around the country need to play smarter. Nobody is going to play a perfect game, coach a perfect game, or officiate a perfect game. All I ask from the guys is preparation and effort like they care. That is what matters most to me. Again, if you make a mistake, try not to come back and make the same kind of mistake. Try and learn from your mistake and be better from it."

On San Diego State (next opponent)…
"It is a program that we have a lot of respect for. They have done a lot of great things in this league. Dutcher has been there the whole time and has been instrumental in helping build that program. San Diego State is an established program in this league. They put resources behind what they do. They have a commitment to basketball. You have to go in there and compete at a very high level. You know they are going to have great student-athletes out on the court every night. They have an unbelievable home court advantage there in terms of their people caring about basketball. Win or lose, those people are going to be there to support their team."

Up Next: Fresno State will play at San Diego State on Wednesday at 8 p.m. PT on ESPNU and also travel to Air Force for a Saturday game at 1 p.m. PT on AT&T Sports Net. Both games will also air live on 940 AM ESPN Radio.

The Bulldogs' next home game is Jan. 23 at 8 p.m. PT when Fresno State hosts UNLV at the Save Mart Center. Tickets are on sale starting at $15 through www.Ticketmaster.com and the Save Mart Center Box Office. Mini-plans and group ticket packages are also on sale through the Bulldog Ticket Office or by calling 559-278-DOGS (and then pressing "1").

A limited number of single-game center section lower bowl tickets (Sections 109, 110, 122 and 123) are also available for $40.

"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.