Bulldogs win fourth straight game with 86-65 victory over Rams

Saturday, February 17

Fresno, Calif.

4 p.m. PT

Fresno State

19-8, 9-5

Colorado State

11-17, 4-11

Colorado State

Fresno State

Photo by: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Bulldogs win fourth straight game with 86-65 victory over Rams

2/17/2018 6:56:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Fresno State sophomore forward Bryson Williams posted his fifth career double-double as the Bulldogs earned a 21-point win over Colorado State. The ’Dogs are now alone in third place in the Mountain West.

By: Stephen Trembley / Director of New Media

FRESNO, Calif. --- The Fresno State men's basketball team defeated the Colorado State Rams 86-65 on Saturday at the Save Mart Center.

Fresno State (19-8, 9-5 Mountain West) is now in sole possession of third place in the conference standings – 1.5 games back of second-place Boise State (11-4) and one game ahead of three teams (UNLV, Wyoming and New Mexico – 8-6) tied for fourth place.

The Bulldogs have four games remaining in the regular season before heading to Las Vegas for the 2018 MW Championships, which run from March 7-10 at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Fresno State next plays at UNLV on Wednesday at 7 p.m. PT, and then will host Wyoming on Saturday at 7 p.m. PT in the Bulldogs' final home game of the season.

How it happened: Fresno State used an 11-0 run midway through the first half to a take a 20-14 lead over Colorado State and the 'Dogs led for the final 30 minutes of the contest.

Six Bulldogs scored in double figures – led by sophomore forward Bryson Williams, who had a game-high 19 points with 10 rebounds for his fifth career double-double (fourth this season).

Deshon Taylor (13 points), Jaron Hopkins (12 points, seven rebounds and six assists), Terrell Carter II (11 points), Ray Bowles, Jr. (10 points, five rebounds and four assists) and Jahmel Taylor (10 points) also reached double-digits scoring for the game for Fresno State.

As a team, Fresno State led by 37-26 at halftime and extended its lead to as many as 25 late in the closing minutes behind the power of outscoring CSU 52-30 in the paint, 16-6 in points off turnovers and a crisp 54.7 percent field goal percentage to put away the Rams.

Colorado State was led by Nico Carvacho, who had 14 points and 11 rebounds for the Rams, who were coached by interim coach Jase Herl.

Team Notes:

Fresno State has now won 38 consecutive games when scoring 70 points before its opponent (78-2 record under Bulldogs' head coach Rodney Terry).
Fresno State has now won four straight conference games by at least 18 points for the first time since 1981.
Fresno State has now won 21 of its last 25 home games when playing a Mountain West opponent.
Fresno State improved to 51-11 overall at home since the start of the 2014-15 season (28-7 in Mountain West play).
Fresno State improved to 41-8 overall at home since the start of the 2015-16 season.
Fresno State improved to 12-4 overall at home this season (5-3 vs. MW opponents).
Fresno State improved to 10-1 this season when dishing out 15 or more assists.
This is the first time since 1981 that Fresno State has won four straight games in conference play by at least 18 points each.

Player Notes:
Bryson Williams – 19 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists
The sophomore forward recorded a double-double for the fourth time this season, fifth time in his career … scored in double-digits for the 21st time this season, 33rd time in his career … grabbed double-digit rebounds for the fourth time season, fifth time in his career … had a team-high 19 points and team-high 10 rebounds … tied his career-high with four rebounds.

Jaron Hopkins – 12 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal
The senior guard scored in double-figures for the 11th time this season, 37th time in his career … scored 10 or more points for the fourth consecutive game … recorded a team-high six assists, tying his season-high.

Quotes:
Rodney Terry, Fresno State head coach
On the key to success against Colorado State…
"The guys did a really good job of sharing the basketball today. We knew going into the game we needed to have good ball movement and good player movement. We did those things for the better part of the game. We also played really good shooter defense, which we needed to win this game."

On postseason play…
"This part of the year is about your identity, what you stand for and your habits. We are a team that is build for the tournament. We have depth, experience, good guard play and we could go out and play another 40 minutes tonight. "

Jaron Hopkins, Fresno State senior guard
"I'm trying to play with good energy on defense, and just be as confident as I can on the court for my team as a leader. Everyone on this team believes that we can do big things and get to the tournament. This is crunch time right now, we realize that and we're trying to play with urgency. We believe in one another and we are going to continue to believe in one another."

Bryson Williams, Fresno State sophomore forward
On the Bulldogs' upcoming road game at UNLV….
"We are just excited to go out and compete. UNLV is a really good team in the Mountain West. We have to go in there and play Bulldog basketball, and play as hard as we can."

Up Next: Fresno State will play at UNLV on Wednesday at 7 p.m. PT, and then host Wyoming on Saturday at 7 p.m. PT in the Bulldogs' home finale. Tickets for the Wyoming-Fresno State game are available starting at $15 through www.Ticketmaster.com and the Save Mart Center Box Office with free parking for all fans to celebrate Senior Night, thanks to Office Depot.

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.