’Dogs defeat Falcons to clinch bye in MW tourney

Monday, February 26

USAFA, Colo.

6 p.m. PT

Fresno State

21-9, 11-6

Air Force

11-17, 5-11

Fresno State

Air Force

Photo by: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

’Dogs defeat Falcons to clinch bye in MW tourney

2/26/2018 8:40:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Fresno State improved to 21-9 overall and 8-3 on the road this season as Bryson Williams scored 15 points to help the Bulldogs secure a first round bye for the MW Tournament for the fourth straight season.

By: Stephen Trembley / Director of New Media

USAFA, Colo. --- The Fresno State men's basketball team defeated the Air Force Falcons 54-48 on Monday night inside Clune Arena.

With the win, Fresno State (21-9, 11-6 Mountain West) has clinched a first round bye for the upcoming 2018 MW Tournament and the 'Dogs will next play at New Mexico on Saturday at 6 p.m. PT with a chance to earn the No. 3 seed for the conference tournament with a win over the Lobos.

The Bulldogs are one of two MW programs (Boise State) to have earned a first round bye for the conference tournament in each of the last four seasons, including this upcoming tournament that awards the winner an automatic bid into the 2018 NCAA Tournament.

Fresno State also improved to 8-3 on the road this season – the most road victories in a season for the 'Dogs since winning eight road games during the 2001-02 season.

How it happened: After working its way to a 23-19 lead at halftime, Fresno State took control of the game early in the second half and grinded out the victory down the stretch.

The Bulldogs extended its lead to double digits when Fresno State junior forward Sam Bittner banked in a deep 3-pointer from the left wing to beat a shot clock buzzer for a 36-25 lead with 13:48 remaining. Fresno State led by as many as those 11 points in the second half on multiple occasions before finishing off Air Force.

Fresno State sophomore forward Bryson Williams scored a team-high 15 points with eight rebounds in just 24 minutes, while senior guard Ray Bowles, Jr. added 11 points for the Bulldogs, who outscored the Falcons 30-20 in the paint.

Fresno State's defense forced 18 AFA turnovers and limited the Falcons to just 28.6 percent (14-for-49 FG) from the field, including an 18.2 percent clip from beyond the 3-point arc (4-for-22 3FGA).

Team Notes:

This game was originally scheduled for Jan. 20, 2018, but had to be rescheduled due to a federal government that canceled all Air Force Academy athletic events for a brief period in January.
Fresno State has now won 67 of its last 74 games when leading at halftime (20-2 this season).
Fresno State has now won 32 of its last 46 games when playing a MW team.
Fresno State improved to 8-3 on the road this season (most road wins in a season since 2001-02).
Fresno State has now won 59 of its last 62 games when leading with five minutes remaining in the second half.

Up Next: Fresno State will close the regular season at New Mexico (ESPN3/940 AM ESPN Radio) on Saturday at 6 p.m. PT.

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.