Bulldogs take down UNLV, 77-64, for 5th straight win

Wednesday, February 21

Las Vegas, Nev.

7 p.m. PT

Fresno State

20-8, 10-5

UNLV

19-9, 8-7

Fresno State

UNLV

Photo by: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Bulldogs take down UNLV, 77-64, for 5th straight win

2/21/2018 9:53:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Fresno State had three Bulldogs score at least 20 points in the same game for the first time since 2008.

By: Stephen Trembley / Director of New Media

LAS VEGAS --- The Fresno State men's basketball team defeated the UNLV Runnin' Rebels 77-64 on Wednesday night at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Fresno State (20-8, 10-5 Mountain West) has now won at least 20 games in each of the past three seasons and remain alone in third place in the conference standings – one game ahead of fourth-place New Mexico (14-14, 9-6 MW).

The Bulldogs will next host the Wyoming Cowboys on Saturday at 7 p.m. PT with all remaining general seating available for $4 per ticket, through a special #DC4Hoops initiative by former Fresno State football star Derek Carr.

"You guys filled up Bulldog Stadium earlier this year for my jersey retirement and it was great having Paul George there as well so we want to do the same thing for the basketball team and Coach Terry," said Carr about the upcoming game.

Fresno State's four seniors – Ray Bowles, Jr., Terrell Carter II, Jaron Hopkins and Jahmel Taylor – will be honored in a pre-game Senior Night ceremony before Saturday's game.

How it happened: After UNLV took a quick 4-0 lead, Fresno State used a 7-0 run to take the lead for good at 7-4 on a Sam Bittner 3-pointer just over four minutes into the game.

The Bulldogs led for nearly the final 36 minutes of the game, while attacking the basket and limiting a talented Runnin' Rebels offense.

Fresno State led 43-30 at halftime and by as many as 22 in the second half.

Fresno State junior guard Deshon Taylor scored a game-high 22 points, including 11 made free throws to move into a tie with Marvelle Harris for the program's single-season free throws made record (179).

Jaron Hopkins and Bryson Williams each added 20 points for Fresno State, who had three Bulldogs score at least 20 points in the same game for the first time since 2008.

The Bulldogs' defense limited UNLV to just 29.8 percent from the field and the Runnin' Rebels made zero 3-pointers in the second half.

Quotes:
Rodney Terry, Fresno State head coach
On Bryson Williams…
"He did a nice job of slowing down and really getting into his offense against two pretty good interior guys. They're two pretty good players. But Bryson Williams is a heck of a player, too. He's one of the best big men in this league, too, and he went right at those guys like he's supposed to and slowed down and scored the ball for us."

On the Bulldogs' defense:
"Our guys have really bought into playing really hard on that end of the floor and it has been a game-changer for us. It changed the game for us in terms of creating opportunities for our offense. But any time you hold a team like this - they score the ball 85 points a game - to 29 percent field goal percentage that's pretty dog gone good.

On Fresno State's approach…
"They have a talented ball club. I thought our guys attacked the game early with really good urgency. The 50-50-balls, we got on the floor and got after loose balls. From a coaching standpoint, I can't be more pleased with our effort and how hard guys tried to compete."

On his team's effort…
"We had great effort to start the game. We really talked to our guys about how hard it was going to be coming in here in terms of trying to guard a really good offensive team. These guys averaged more than 80 points a game.

On Jaron Hopkins…
"He has been the difference in our team. His pace of play. His finishing plays. Just being a senior and recognizing what the defense is giving us out there, he's playing to his strength a majority of the time and getting guys involved. I think, again, his play and his leadership has taken our team to another level."

Team Notes:

Fresno State has won five straight conference games by at least 13 points.
Fresno State is one of three MW teams with at least 20 wins this season.
Fresno State has earned its third straight 20-win season and fourth in the past five seasons (first three straight 20-win seasons in 20 years).
Fresno State has now won 39 consecutive games when scoring 70 points before its opponent (79-2 record under Bulldogs' head coach Rodney Terry).
Fresno State has now won six straight games played against UNLV and now has four all-time wins over UNLV on the road - all under Coach Terry.

Up Next: Fresno State will 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 just $4 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.