Fresno State dominates Northwestern, 78-59

Thursday, November 22

Fullerton, Calif.

1:30 p.m. PT

Fresno State

2-1

Northwestern

3-1

Northwestern

Fresno State

Photo by: ESPN Images

Fresno State dominates Northwestern, 78-59

11/22/2018 6:18:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Fresno State’s resounding record-setting 19-point win over Northwestern is the Bulldogs’ largest margin of victory ever over a Big Ten opponent. The ’Dogs will next face Miami on Friday at 11 a.m. PT on ESPN2.

By: Stephen Trembley / Director of New Media

FULLERTON, Calif. --- The Fresno State men's basketball team soundly defeated the Big Ten's Northwestern Wildcats 78-59 in the quarterfinals of the 2018 Wooden Legacy inside Fullerton's Titan Gym.

Fresno State (2-1) handed Northwestern (3-1) its first loss of the season behind the power of the Bulldogs' up-tempo style of play and effective execution on both ends of the floor.

The Bulldogs had five players in double figures – led by senior guard Braxton Huggins, who had a game-high 17 points. Fresno State shot 50 percent from the field and held NU to a 35.3 percent clip from the floor.

How it happened: Fresno State led for more than 36 of the game's 40 minutes and led by as many as 24 points nearly midway through the second half. The Bulldogs outrebounded the Wildcats 33-27.

Fresno State also had assists on 18 of its 24 baskets and finished the game with 11 3-pointers, including seven combined by senior forward Sam Bittner (4) and New Williams (3).

Up Next: Fresno State advances in the winner's bracket of the 2018 Wooden Legacy and will face Miami in the early semifinal on Friday at 11 a.m. PT on ESPN2 and 940 AM ESPN Radio.

Quotes
Justin Hutson, Fresno State head coach
On Sam Bittner
"Sam really started us off strong. When you come into a great tournament like this, playing against a good team and he really started us off. Not only did he hit 4 of 5 threes, but he played great defense and did a lot of things that didn't show up in the stat sheet."

On Northwestern's size
"They were bigger than us and they play a great defense, so we wanted to spread them out, be able to drive into the paint and then kick it out for three to guys like Sam."

Sam Bittner, Fresno State senior guard/forward
"We took advantage of our ball screen opportunities. We knew that our big guys would roll hard into the paint and when they rotated over we'd have open shots. All my shots were wide open today because of our guards."

On upcoming matchup against Miami…
"I know that Miami scores the ball well and they are a big team. Obviously, they are a big team, they play in the ACC. It'll be a big box out game and transition game for us."

Chris Collins, Northwestern head coach
On Fresno State and the game…
"Well I think, especially early in the year you're playing against such good, competitive teams this is a really good field and we knew that. We knew Fresno State was a good team, we knew this was going to be a hard game for us and you have to learn about the things you have to do to get better. I thought that they spread us out. I thought they got into the paint against us, we weren't as connected. They made shots which then makes it even tougher but, normally when we're at our best, we have pretty good length, we're able to keep the ball out of the heart of the paint. We didn't do a good job of that. With their quickness, and their ability to drive the ball had us on our heels, I thought, from the beginning of the game. It wasn't a great defensive performance from us."

Player Notes

Sam Bittner scored 14 points, just one shy of his career high, marking his fifth career game with 10+ points.
Nate Grimes scored 12 points to go with nine rebounds… Fresno State is now 5-0 when he scores in double figures.

Team Notes

Fresno State is playing in its first ESPN event (1-0 record in those).
The 19-point win over Northwestern is Fresno State's largest margin of victory over a Big Ten opponent (previous record: 14 points in a 72-58 road win at Michigan State in the NIT on March 20, 1983).
Fresno State improved to 14-6 in its last 20 non-conference or postseason tournament contests.
Fresno State has won 10 of its last 11 games when making at least 11 3pt-FGs.
Fresno State has now won 22 of the last 23 games when holding opponents to 59 or fewer points.
NU entered the game with the field's best scoring defense (52.3 ppg) and opponent field goal percentage (.364), but Fresno State was able to score 78 points while shooting .500 FG… In its first three games combined, the Wildcats had yielded just 11 3pt-FGs combined, but Fresno State connected on 11 today.

"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.