Bulldogs edged in 81-79 OT loss at Utah State

Wednesday, January 3

Logan, Utah

6 p.m. PT

Fresno State

11-5, 1-2MW

Utah State

9-7, 2-1MW

OT 1

Fresno State

Utah State

Bulldogs edged in 81-79 OT loss at Utah State

1/3/2018 9:35:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Fresno State sophomore forward Bryson Williams scored 18 points on a perfect 7-for-7 effort from the field in the Bulldogs’ overtime loss at Utah State on Wednesday.

By: Stephen Trembley / Director of New Media

LOGAN, Utah --- The Fresno State men's basketball team lost an 81-79 overtime game at Utah State on Wednesday evening inside Dee Glen Smith Spectrum.

Fresno State (11-5, 1-2 Mountain West) saw its 10-point lead with just over four minutes remaining evaporate as Utah State (9-7, 2-1 MW) rallied down the stretch. The Aggies forced overtime when Koby McEwen, who had a career-high 28 points, sank a free throw with 0.9 seconds left in regulation and edged the Bulldogs in the extra session.

Fresno State will next play at Colorado State on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. PT. The game will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network and 940 AM ESPN Radio.

How it happened: After trailing 39-35 at halftime, Fresno State worked its way to a 69-59 lead over Utah State with under four minutes remaining in the second half when the Aggies made their run.

USU held the Bulldogs scoreless for the rest of regulation scoring 10 unanswered points to end the second half, including McEwen's game-tying free throw with 0.9 seconds on the clock.

In overtime, Fresno State grabbed a 75-71 lead by continuing to work the ball inside, but Utah State answered once again and outpaced the Bulldogs to the final buzzer, including making critical shots and free throws to seal the victory.

Fresno State junior guard Deshon Taylor scored a team-high 24 points, while Bulldogs' sophomore forward Bryson Williams added 18 points on a perfect 7-for-7 effort from the field. Fresno State sophomore forward Nate Grimes also had 10 rebounds and two blocks with four points, including a dunk in overtime.

For 44 of the 45-minute contest, neither team led by more than six points.

Both teams shot lights out in the first half, with Fresno State converting 56 percent of its field goal attempts (14-for-25 FG) and Utah State making 58.3 percent of its shots (14-for-24 FG) before halftime.

Fresno State finished the game shooting 51.6 percent (32-for-62 FG), which was the 10th time this season the 'Dogs made at least 50 percent of its field goals. While the Bulldogs outscored the Aggies 48-34 in the paint, USU owned the glass 37-28, including 10 offensive rebounds for the home team.

Quotes:
Rodney Terry, Fresno State head coach
"That was rough down the stretch. We had opportunities and just didn't do it -- whether it was at the foul line or missing layups. There were opportunities there to still, even with all the things that occurred throughout the course of the game, to finish the game, and we didn't do that. Even in overtime, those guys (Utah State) they made plays, they made their free throws, they made their layups. So, at the end of the day, you just have to close the game out. Games are hard to win on the road. You have an opportunity to do it, you have to step in and do it."

Up Next: Fresno State wraps up its two-game road trip on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. PT when the Bulldogs visit the Colorado State Rams in Fort Collins, Colo. The game will be broadcast live on CBS Sports Network and 940 AM ESPN Radio.

Fresno State's next home game is Tuesday at 8 p.m. PT with the Bulldogs hosting first-place Boise State at the Save Mart Center. Tickets are on sale starting at just $10 through www.Ticketmaster.com and the Save Mart Center Box Office. A limited number of single-game center section lower bowl tickets (Sections 109, 110, 122 and 123) are also available for $40.

Mini-plans and group ticket packages are also available by calling 559-278-DOGS and then pressing "1" to order through a dedicated sales representative at the Bulldog Ticket Office.

"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.