Bulldogs ride wave to 92-71 win over LBSU

Saturday, December 8

Fresno, Calif.

4 p.m. PT

Fresno State

7-2

Long Beach State

3-8

Long Beach State

Fresno State

Photo by: Keith Kountz

Bulldogs ride wave to 92-71 win over LBSU

12/8/2018 7:05:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Fresno State junior guard Noah Blackwell scored a career-high 22 points with six rebounds, six assists and three steals to help power the Bulldogs to a 21-point win over Long Beach State. The ’Dogs next host Cal on Dec. 19 at 7 p.m. PT.

By: Stephen Trembley / Director of New Media

FRESNO, Calif. --- The excitement is continuing to build for the Fresno State men's basketball team, who used its up-tempo offense and swarming defense to defeat the Long Beach State 49ers 92-71 on Saturday afternoon inside the Save Mart Center.

Fresno State (7-2) has now won five straight games and will next host Cal on Dec. 19 in a primetime midweek match-up at the Save Mart Center.

Fresno State junior guard Noah Blackwell posted a career-high in points (22) and rebounds (6), which was paired with six assists (only one turnover) and three steals to lead five Bulldogs in double-figure scoring. This was the second consecutive game that Blackwell recorded a career-best in scoring.

Along with Blackwell, senior guard Braxton Huggins added 18 points and seven rebounds, while Nate Grimes collected his fourth career double-double with 15 points and 14 rebounds. New Williams (14 points) and Aguir Agau (10 points) were also key contributors offensively for the Bulldogs.

How it happened: The teams exchanged baskets and possessions for most of the first half until the Bulldogs outscored the 49ers 26-12 in the final eight minutes before halftime, including a 10-2 run and holding LBSU without a field goal for the last two minutes of the half. Williams hit a buzzer-beating 25-foot 3-pointer to give Fresno State a 42-32 lead at the break.

The 'Dogs opened the second half with a 7-0 run, highlighted by a dynamic dunk by Grimes, and Fresno State led by as many as 23 points with under five minutes remaining before finishing off the 21-point victory.

In the game, Fresno State outrebounded LBSU 45-36 and outscored the 49ers 44-18 in the paint and 22-8 in points off turnovers. The Bulldogs made 10 3-pointers, registered 11 steals and held Long Beach State to just 37.3 percent from the floor while handing the 49ers their worst loss this season since they fell 79-51 at then-No. 17 Mississippi State back on Nov. 16.

Team Notes:

With the win, Fresno State remains undefeated at home this season (5-0 at home during head coach Justin Hutson's tenure).
Fresno State head coach Justin Hutson is one of five head coaches in program history (out of 19) to start his career with a 7-2 record or better. The four other head coaches to start 7-2 or better are: J. Flint Hanner (8-1), Ed Gregory (7-2), Boyd Grant (7-2) and Ray Lopes (7-2).
Fresno State improved to 57-12 overall at home since the start of the 2014-15 season, including a 29-4 record versus non-conference opponents.
Fresno State is in the middle of a 12-game stretch of playing exclusively in the state of California. Fresno State is 6-1 in through the first seven games of the current Golden State run.
Fresno State has made at least seven 3-pointers in every game this season. The Bulldogs are 20-3 in the last 23 games making at least 10 3-point field goals.

Quotes:
Justin Hutson, Fresno State head coach
On the win over Long Beach State…
"We have good players. They are inexperienced, but they are good players. They are talented. They play the game the right way. Sometimes you see them have turnovers, or have defensive lapses, or not get back, or not play as well, but that is all a part of the experience. Tonight, they all rallied behind saying 'we have to step up' and they really did. I thought we shared the ball well tonight and I thought our defensive intensity stayed put for the most part. I am proud of the group."

On Nate Grimes…
"Nate worked really hard all summer. He was in the gym all of the time when I got here. He was always working on shooting that 3-point shot. I told him that if his feet are set, he can knock that shot down. He is a little shy but he can really shoot that ball. I told him 'as long as you are not tired and your feet are set, then you can take the shot.'"

On Noah Blackwell…
"He was critical today, he had to play 38 minutes. It was critical that, as a good player, his confidence came back. I told him that his confidence would start on defense. We always had confidence that he would make shots and plays on the offensive end. With all of our guys, they really lend themselves to the team and try the best they can. We are not where we need to be defensively but as long as you try hard then you will see that the coaches have confidence in you on the offensive end."

Up Next: Fresno State will host the California Golden Bears on Wednesday, Dec. 19 at 7 p.m. PT inside the Save Mart Center. Tickets for the game start at $15 at the Save Mart Center Box Office and www.ticketmaster.com.

"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.