Bulldogs’ win streak ends with 78-68 loss to Cowboys

Saturday, February 24

Fresno, Calif.

7 p.m. PT

Fresno State

20-9, 10-6MW

Wyoming

18-11, 9-7MW

Wyoming

Fresno State

Photo by: Keith Kountz

Bulldogs’ win streak ends with 78-68 loss to Cowboys

2/24/2018 10:08:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Fresno State will close the regular season with road games at Air Force on Monday and at New Mexico on Saturday before heading to the 2018 MW Tournament, which starts March 7.

By: Stephen Trembley / Director of New Media

FRESNO, Calif. --- The Fresno State men's basketball team suffered a 78-68 loss to the Wyoming Cowboys on Saturday night at the Save Mart Center before a season-high 9,645 fans.

Fresno State (20-9, 10-6 Mountain West) remains in third place in the conference standings – a half game ahead of New Mexico, who hosts UNLV on Sunday. Wyoming (18-11, 9-7 MW) is now in a tie for fifth in the league race with San Diego State.

Fresno State next plays at Air Force on Monday at 6 p.m. PT on the Mountain West Network and 940 AM ESPN Radio.

How it happened: Fresno State struggled to execute in the first half as Wyoming shot 50 percent from the field (18-for-36 FG) in the opening 20 minutes, which led to the Bulldogs trailing 46-29 at halftime.

Fresno State cut its 17-point halftime deficit to five on multiple occasions in the second half, including with just under five minutes remaining in the game before Wyoming put the 'Dogs away down the stretch.

Fresno State senior guard Jahmel Taylor scored 16 points with a season-high eight rebounds, while sophomore forward Bryson Williams added 16 points and Nate Grimes had eight points and 10 rebounds for the Bulldogs.

The Cowboys outscored the 'Dogs 30-26 in the paint and 19-8 at the free throw line.

Player Notes:
Jahmel Taylor – 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists
The senior guard scored in double-figures for the 17th time this season, 40th time in his career … was 5-for-9 from the field … grabbed a season-high and team-high eight rebounds … was one of two player to play a team-high 36 minutes.

Bryson Williams – 16 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists
The sophomore forward scored in double-figures for the 23rd time this season, 35th time in his career … he was 8-for-13 from the field … was one of two player to play a team-high 36 minutes … all four of his rebounds were defensive rebounds.

Ray Bowles, Jr. – 11 points 1 assist and 2 steals
The senior guard scored in double figures for the 18th time this season, ninth time in conference play … was 4-for-6 from the field.

Team Notes:

Fresno State is now 52-12 overall at home since the start of the 2014-15 season.
Fresno State has now won 21 of its last 26 home games when playing a MW opponent.
Fresno State is 5-5 when three Bulldogs score in double-figures.
Fresno State was outscored in the paint for the second time in conference play (30-26).
Fresno State has won 21 of its last 28 games in its next game after a loss.

Quotes:
Rodney Terry, Fresno State head coach
"We had a couple of great looks when it was a two possession game. We had great looks throughout most of the game. They made their shots and we didn't make our shots tonight. We give them a lot of credit; we don't like to be the ones to make excuses. We lost this game because we didn't shoot the ball well. We lost this game in other areas as well. They put their will on us tonight and we didn't respond very well, especially to start the game. This time of year, you cannot give 20 minutes away."

On this year's senior class…
"It is a great group of guys. These guys have carried themselves the right way on and off the court all season. We have three of the four guys graduated already and one being close to graduation. That is the thing I am most proud of. Guys come through here and they learn to develop a work ethic. These guys have done that and it is going to help them for the rest of their lives. They have a degree and that is something that is going to help provide for them, as they become husbands and fathers. Hopefully along the way, they have learned to help each other and build friendships that they will have for the rest of their lives."

On a quick turnaround to play a make-up game at Air Force on Monday…
"We are going to play an Air Force team that won today and we are going to be on their home court so we are going to need to bounce back. It is going to be a quick turnaround for us."

Ray Bowles, Jr., Fresno State senior guard
"It is hard. The first half killed us. We didn't come out how we were supposed to and then the second half came and I tried to do whatever I could to bring the team some energy. It helped at the time but we didn't continue to execute on the offensive or defensive ends of the floor."

Bryson Williams, Fresno State sophomore forward
"I think this team is capable of a lot. We took a loss today but this team is tough and this team has been through a lot this year. We just have to make a huge bounce back from this, learn from it and keep proceeding on. Wyoming is a real good team. They do a lot of things well. We just didn't come out with the urgency we needed in the first half. We didn't execute in the first half. Wyoming played a good game tonight."

Up Next: Fresno State will play at Air Force (MWN) on Monday at 6 p.m. PT and then close the regular season at New Mexico (ESPN3) on Saturday at 6 p.m. PT. Both games will also be broadcast on 940 AM ESPN Radio.

The 2018 MW Men's Basketball Tournament starts March 7 in Las Vegas at the Thomas & Mack Center. Single-session tickets will be available by calling 1-866-388-3267, online at MWTickets.com or by visiting UNLVTickets outlets in Las Vegas, as well as the Thomas & Mack Center box office.

Facebook will have coverage for the first-round action of the men's tournament which tips off on March 7. The quarterfinals will take place on Thursday, March 8, followed by the semifinals on Friday, March 9. CBS Sports Network will broadcast all four quarterfinal games and both semifinal contests. The men's championship game is set for Saturday, March 10 at 3 p.m. PT on CBS.

"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.