Fresno State Athletics
Wednesday, November 28
Fresno, Calif.
7 p.m. PT
Fresno State
4-2
81
vs
78
Pacific
5-4
1
2
OT 1
F
Pacific
30
32
16
78
Fresno State
36
26
19
81
'Dogs surge past Tigers in OT, 81-78
11/28/2018 9:45:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Fresno State went a perfect 5-for-5 in the field in overtime to earn an 81-78 win over Pacific. The Bulldogs next host Cal Poly on Saturday at 12 p.m. PT. Tickets start at $10.
FRESNO, Calif. -- The Fresno State men's basketball team defeated the Pacific Tigers 81-78 in overtime on Wednesday night inside the Save Mart Center.
Fresno State (4-2) was led by senior guard Deshon Taylor, who had a team-high 22 points, seven assists and three steals in the victory.
"We had a big lead early on and we did not think that we were going to miss any shots," Fresno State head coach Justin Hutson said. "We got to the second half and could not get any good shots. We did not kick it out as much as we did in the first half. The ball was moving a lot in the first half, but it was sticking a lot in the second half. I am happy to come out with the win and to be learning from a win instead of learning from a loss."
How it happened:Â The Bulldogs started the game on a 16-1 run over the first five minutes of the game, their biggest lead of the half was 16-1 with 15 minutes left. The Tigers would slowly chip away at the lead, making it a six-point game at the half, 30-36. Sam Bittner and Braxton Huggins led the Bulldogs through the first half, scoring 11 points apiece. Bittner was a perfect 4-for-4 from the field and 2-for-2 from the line during the first 30 minutes.
New Williams opened the second half with a dynamic dunk off a steal from Sam Bittner. Pacific came within four with 8:20 left in the game, 49-45. Fresno State had a 53-52 lead with 3:24, Deshon Taylor stepped to the free-throw line and sunk both to extend the lead to 55-52. The Tigers took the ball down to try for a tie. Grimes was there for the block and Williams grabbed the rebound, Taylor finished the play with a jump shot. Pacific called a timeout with 2:26 left in regulation. Grimes had another huge block with 1:39 left in the game to sustain the Bulldogs' 59-55 lead, but Ajare Sanni hit a three-pointer from the corner for the Tigers to make it a one-point game. The Tigers tipped in a rebound with 17 seconds left to take a 60-59 lead, their first lead of the game. The Bulldogs regained the lead when Deshon Taylor scored a layup and drew the foul for a three-point play. Brandon McGhee sent the game into overtime when he shot from behind the backboard and scored.
Fresno State went on a 7-0 run to start the overtime period. The Bulldogs maintained control for the rest of the game, going 5-for-5 from the field and 3-for-3 from beyond the arch.
Team Notes:Â
Deshon Taylor, G, Sr. – 22 points, 3 rebounds, 7 assists
Justin Hutson, Fresno State head coach
On how the team performed in the game…
"It was good. It was a strange game. We had a big lead early on and we did not think that we were going to miss any shots. We got to the second half and could not get any good shots. We did not kick it out as much as we did in the first half. The ball was moving a lot in the first half, but it was sticking a lot in the second half. I am happy to come out with the win and to be learning from a win instead of learning from a loss."
Â
On preparing for this game after returning home from the Wooden Legacy…
"It was definitely a quick turnaround, we got back really late on Sunday and everybody had school on Monday. We wanted to save their legs but the guys are young and resilient and they are ready to go. We came out ready to go. There was a lot of really good spurts that you saw from the Bulldogs tonight, on offense and on defense. There were also some not so good moments. Our challenge is to get consistent."
Â
On Sam Bittner…
"I am happy for him and happy for us because we need him to do that. We are asking him to do more. We need him to score the ball, we need him to drive it, we need him to make good passes, we need him to defend better players and do all of that rather quickly. In the sixth game, he is starting to play a more aggressive role. We need him to be more aggressive."
Â
On the seniors…
"We have three really good seniors. Deshon has a lot of experience of being in at the end of the game. This is new for Sam, to take a big shot late in the second half or in overtime. This is something that he has never done before and it is something that he is doing and we like. He is going to be good for us."
Â
On Lazaro Rojas…
"He had a couple good days of practice. Laz has to be confident in himself and we are definitely confident in him. The more confident he is in himself, the better he is going to be. That definitely helped him tonight."
Deshon Taylor, Fresno State senior guard
On trailing late in the game…
"We knew if we played the right way, we would get a good shot. On that last play, I was not letting my team down. All of the guys told me to take over so I knew that I had their confidence. I got in the game and made the right play."
Â
On having a 9-point scoring run for the 'Dogs…
"I didn't want to lose. I didn't want to lose at home at all, especially not to a team that is a Valley rival. I really did not want to lose this game."
Â
On how important this win was…
"This is a big win for us. We had a hard-fought game at home. We didn't shoot well in the second half so to be able to stay confident in ourselves and pull out a win like this is good for our team."
Lazaro Rojas, Fresno State sophomore center
On how this game builds his confidence for the rest of the season…
"It definitely boosts my confidence. I just tried to stay confident up until this point and I am going to try and stay confident after this in things that I will be doing. I'm going to work hard in practice and keep doing what I am doing and not hunt stats, just play the game."
Â
Fresno State (4-2) was led by senior guard Deshon Taylor, who had a team-high 22 points, seven assists and three steals in the victory.
"We had a big lead early on and we did not think that we were going to miss any shots," Fresno State head coach Justin Hutson said. "We got to the second half and could not get any good shots. We did not kick it out as much as we did in the first half. The ball was moving a lot in the first half, but it was sticking a lot in the second half. I am happy to come out with the win and to be learning from a win instead of learning from a loss."
How it happened:Â The Bulldogs started the game on a 16-1 run over the first five minutes of the game, their biggest lead of the half was 16-1 with 15 minutes left. The Tigers would slowly chip away at the lead, making it a six-point game at the half, 30-36. Sam Bittner and Braxton Huggins led the Bulldogs through the first half, scoring 11 points apiece. Bittner was a perfect 4-for-4 from the field and 2-for-2 from the line during the first 30 minutes.
New Williams opened the second half with a dynamic dunk off a steal from Sam Bittner. Pacific came within four with 8:20 left in the game, 49-45. Fresno State had a 53-52 lead with 3:24, Deshon Taylor stepped to the free-throw line and sunk both to extend the lead to 55-52. The Tigers took the ball down to try for a tie. Grimes was there for the block and Williams grabbed the rebound, Taylor finished the play with a jump shot. Pacific called a timeout with 2:26 left in regulation. Grimes had another huge block with 1:39 left in the game to sustain the Bulldogs' 59-55 lead, but Ajare Sanni hit a three-pointer from the corner for the Tigers to make it a one-point game. The Tigers tipped in a rebound with 17 seconds left to take a 60-59 lead, their first lead of the game. The Bulldogs regained the lead when Deshon Taylor scored a layup and drew the foul for a three-point play. Brandon McGhee sent the game into overtime when he shot from behind the backboard and scored.
Fresno State went on a 7-0 run to start the overtime period. The Bulldogs maintained control for the rest of the game, going 5-for-5 from the field and 3-for-3 from beyond the arch.
Team Notes:Â
- Pacific leads the all-time 81-79, Fresno State leads the games played in Fresno 50-31.
- The Bulldogs and the Tigers have played 12 overtime games in program history, Bulldogs have won nine of the overtime games.
- Three Bulldogs scored in double-digits.
- Fresno State has scored at least eight three-pointers in all six games this season.
Deshon Taylor, G, Sr. – 22 points, 3 rebounds, 7 assists
- Scored in double-figures for the sixth consecutive game.
- Scored 20+ points for the second time this season.
- Led Fresno State in scoring for the second time this season.
- Recorded a season-high seven assists.
- Scored in double-figures for the sixth consecutive game.
- Grabbed a season-high five rebounds.
- Scored a career-high 16 points.
- Scored in double-figures for the third time.
Justin Hutson, Fresno State head coach
On how the team performed in the game…
"It was good. It was a strange game. We had a big lead early on and we did not think that we were going to miss any shots. We got to the second half and could not get any good shots. We did not kick it out as much as we did in the first half. The ball was moving a lot in the first half, but it was sticking a lot in the second half. I am happy to come out with the win and to be learning from a win instead of learning from a loss."
Â
On preparing for this game after returning home from the Wooden Legacy…
"It was definitely a quick turnaround, we got back really late on Sunday and everybody had school on Monday. We wanted to save their legs but the guys are young and resilient and they are ready to go. We came out ready to go. There was a lot of really good spurts that you saw from the Bulldogs tonight, on offense and on defense. There were also some not so good moments. Our challenge is to get consistent."
Â
On Sam Bittner…
"I am happy for him and happy for us because we need him to do that. We are asking him to do more. We need him to score the ball, we need him to drive it, we need him to make good passes, we need him to defend better players and do all of that rather quickly. In the sixth game, he is starting to play a more aggressive role. We need him to be more aggressive."
Â
On the seniors…
"We have three really good seniors. Deshon has a lot of experience of being in at the end of the game. This is new for Sam, to take a big shot late in the second half or in overtime. This is something that he has never done before and it is something that he is doing and we like. He is going to be good for us."
Â
On Lazaro Rojas…
"He had a couple good days of practice. Laz has to be confident in himself and we are definitely confident in him. The more confident he is in himself, the better he is going to be. That definitely helped him tonight."
Deshon Taylor, Fresno State senior guard
On trailing late in the game…
"We knew if we played the right way, we would get a good shot. On that last play, I was not letting my team down. All of the guys told me to take over so I knew that I had their confidence. I got in the game and made the right play."
Â
On having a 9-point scoring run for the 'Dogs…
"I didn't want to lose. I didn't want to lose at home at all, especially not to a team that is a Valley rival. I really did not want to lose this game."
Â
On how important this win was…
"This is a big win for us. We had a hard-fought game at home. We didn't shoot well in the second half so to be able to stay confident in ourselves and pull out a win like this is good for our team."
Lazaro Rojas, Fresno State sophomore center
On how this game builds his confidence for the rest of the season…
"It definitely boosts my confidence. I just tried to stay confident up until this point and I am going to try and stay confident after this in things that I will be doing. I'm going to work hard in practice and keep doing what I am doing and not hunt stats, just play the game."
Â
Team Stats
PAC
FS
FG%
.438
.483
3FG%
.435
.308
FT%
.706
.652
RB
39
38
TO
20
17
STL
6
10
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
22
FGM
6
3FGM
1
FTM
9
Pts
17
FGM
6
3FGM
2
FTM
3
Pts
16
FGM
6
3FGM
3
FTM
1
Pts
9
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballF/C
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's Basketball
G
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