Bulldogs surge past UNLV, climb back into 3rd

Tuesday, January 23

Fresno, Calif.

8 p.m. PT

Fresno State

15-6, 5-3MW

UNLV

14-6, 3-4MW

UNLV

Fresno State

Photo by: Keith Kountz

Bulldogs surge past UNLV, climb back into 3rd

1/23/2018 11:12:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Fresno State’s frontcourt duo of Bryson Williams and Terrell Carter II combined for 38 points to help power the Bulldogs to a win over UNLV on Tuesday night. The ’Dogs next host Utah State on Saturday at 4 p.m. PT.

By: Stephen Trembley / Director of New Media

FRESNO, Calif. --- The Fresno State men's basketball team dug deep for a gritty 69-63 win over the UNLV Runnin' Rebels late Tuesday night at the Save Mart Center.

Fresno State (15-6, 5-3 Mountain West) got a big boost from senior center Terrell Carter II, who had two game-sealing blocks and a pair free throws in the final ten seconds to finish with 18 points on 8-for-12 shooting for the game. With the win, the Bulldogs climbed back into a tie for third place in the conference race – two and a half games back of first-place Nevada (7-0).

UNLV (14-6, 3-4 MW) was led by Jordan Johnson's team-high 18 points and freshman center Brandon McCoy, who had 13 points and 13 rebounds for the Runnin' Rebels.

Fresno State will close out this two-game homestand on Saturday when the Bulldogs host the Utah State Aggies at 4 p.m. PT. Tickets for Saturday's game start at $15.

How it happened: Fresno State started the game on a 9-1 run, sparked by Bryson Williams' back-to-back buckets. The Bulldogs held onto lead until the Rebels went on a 9-2 run, with UNLV taking a 22-15 lead midway through the opening half.

Fresno State responded with a 14-2 run to retake the lead 27-24 with 5:32 left before halftime and the Bulldogs owned a 36-29 lead at the break, as Carter had 12 of his 18 points in the first half.

The Bulldogs held the lead for the first 11 minutes of the second half until the Runnin' Rebels took a 53-52 lead on a 9-2 run.

But Fresno State quickly retook the lead with back-to-back 3-pointers from Jaron Hopkins and Ray Bowles, Jr. and the Bulldogs finished strong with a strong defensive effort through the last eight minutes of the game. The second half, like the first 20 minutes, was a competitive battle with neither team leading by double-digits at any point in the game.

Fresno State did a nice job of sharing the basketball, finishing with 14 assists and just nine turnovers, while forcing 16 UNLV turnovers.

In addition to Carter's 18 points, Fresno State sophomore forward Bryson Williams scored a game-high 20 points with four rebounds and a career-high four assists. Williams was 10-for-14 from field – making his last eight field goals he attempted in the contest.

Player Notes:
Bryson Williams – 20 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal
The sophomore had a team-high 20 points … scored in double-figures for the 16th time this season, 28th time in his career … scored at least 20 points for the third time this season, third time in his career … was 10-for-14 from the floor (made last eight field goal attempts) … recorded a career-high four assists.

Terrell Carter – 18 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks
The senior center scored in double-figures for the sixth time this season, 16th time in his career … was 8-for-12 from the floor … grabbed a team-high six rebounds ... had a season-high two assists, tying his career-high … had two blocks in the final minute to seal the win.

Deshon Taylor – 14 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 assist
The junior guard scored in double-figures for the 20th time this season, 36th time in his career … was 7-for-9 from the free throw line.

Quotes:
Head Coach Rodney Terry on the matchup with UNLV…
"I thought our guys showed a lot of grit and really executed on both ends of the floor."

On Terrell Carter's performance…
"It is a difference maker when a guy can score with a power move on one end of the floor and then come back down and have two blocks on the other end of the floor, all while keeping the ball inbounds with his blocks. He stepped up to the free throw line as a senior and knocked those down. It really shows his growth and what he has been able to do. We always say to our guys that we need every single guy. Any given night could be your opportunity; you have to be ready for that. Tonight, he was ready for that. He has put the work in and has had a great attitude the whole time. He was ready to respond tonight."

On Terrell Carter's leadership on the team…
"Terrell is a great teammate. He has always had a great positive attitude, whether things are going his way or not going his way. He has always been an unbelievable teammate. He is a guy who is always pulling for guys and trying to teach the young guys how hard they have to compete and how physical they need to be. Anytime you have a guy with that kind of personality, it shows a lot of who he is as a person. Away from basketball, he is going to be a successful guy in life because of that personality and the way he carries himself."

On facing Utah State on Saturday…
"Utah State is a well-coached team. They are a team that plays really good on offense; they play with a really good pace of play. We have a lot of respect for them. We know coming in that we are going to have to put a lot of pressure on them defensively. It will be a big challenge for us come Saturday."

Terrell Carter on scoring 18 points…
"Coach always told me to stay ready. Everything is based on matchups so he told me to be ready and keep working. As a senior, it is hard but I kept my focus and stayed there and the opportunities presented themselves. It is always exciting to get a win at home. You guys have known me for a few years and you know I love to win at home and in general. Being able to do that for the team is always good."

Bryson Williams on his shooting range tonight…
"It felt good to be able to compete and work hard. I was just playing Bulldog Basketball and it felt good to get the win."

On having a connection with Terrell Carter on the court…
"Terrell is a big matchup problem for a lot of teams. I know he is a real good finisher. I believe in him and I know he is going to catch that pass so I just throw it in and he is going to take care of it."

On facing Utah State…
"Utah State is a real good team. They got us in Logan and we are just ready to play Bulldog Basketball and be ready to compete."

Up Next: Fresno State will host Utah State on Saturday at 4 p.m. PT on the Mountain West Network, 940 AM ESPN Radio and 1600 AM ESPN Deportes. 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.