Bulldogs rout Spartans, 73-53

Wednesday, January 2

San Jose, Calif.

7 p.m. PT

Fresno State

10-3, 1-0MW

San Jose State

3-10, 0-1MW

Fresno State

San Jose State

Photo by: Jackson Moore

Bulldogs rout Spartans, 73-53

1/2/2019 10:04:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Fresno State junior forward Nate Grimes recorded his fifth career double-double (second this season) with 19 points and 12 rebounds in the Bulldogs’ 20-point road victory at San Jose State to open Mountain West play.

By: Stephen Trembley / Director of New Media

SAN JOSE, Calif. --- The Fresno State men's basketball team used a big late first half run to pull away and never look back in beating the San Jose State Spartans 73-53 on the road in both teams' Mountain West opener on Wednesday night at The Event Center.

Fresno State (10-3, 1-0 Mountain West) led for nearly 39 of the 40-minute contest, which saw the Bulldogs beat the Spartans by 20 on the road for the second straight season to match Fresno State's largest margin of victory in a road conference game since joining the MW in 2012.

Fresno State junior guard Nate Grimes scored a season-high 19 points with 12 rebounds for his fifth career double-double (second this season). Noah Blackwell added 17 points and six assists for the Bulldogs, who got preseason All-MW guard Deshon Taylor back from injury. Taylor finished with nine points and four assists after missing the last four games.

San Jose State (3-10, 0-1 MW) was led by Michael Steadman, who had 18 points and 10 rebounds for the home team.

How it happened: Fresno State used an 18-0 run to close the first half to pull ahead 47-25 at halftime.

After SJSU scored the game's opening basket, the Bulldogs took the lead for good with a 9-0 run, sparked by a dunk from Grimes. San Jose State snapped the run with a three-point basket from the outside corner. The teams traded baskets before New Williams and Johnny McWilliams hit back-to-back three-point shots to put the Bulldogs up 18-10.

Shortly thereafter, Taylor drained a three-point shot to put the Bulldogs on top 24-16 with 9:21 to go in the first half.

Fresno State held SJSU without a field goal for more than the final six and half minutes of the opening 20 minutes while the 'Dogs rattled off that 18-point surge to go up 22 at the break, which included a McWilliams 3-pointer as the exclamation mark right before the halftime buzzer.

In the second half, the Bulldogs and Spartans continued to spar, and SJSU climbed to within 13. Fresno State quickly retook control down the stretch while cruising to its 10th victory of the season.

For the game, Fresno State shot 51.9 percent from the field to improve to 5-0 this season when making at least half of its field goal attempts. The Bulldogs also had 17 assists on 28 made field goals and outscored SJSU 30-20 in the paint.

Quotes:
Justin Hutson, Fresno State head coach
On Nate Grimes...
"Nate had a great game tonight and I think he played great defense early that really helped us, he finished on the pick and rolls and then he attacked the basket in the post. If he can mix that in where he attacks the basket and shoots his little jump shot, then he'll be a better player. That's something we've been working on since I got here. Patience is a virtue, because he did it good tonight."

On the team's performance on the road…
"It was great to see everybody step up and have a great team effort and come in and get a tough road win."

Noah Blackwell, Fresno State redshirt junior guard
On Nate Grimes' double-double and effort…
"We know he can do that all the time. Nate Grimes, that's what he does. He could lead the league in rebounds and we know he can score."

Player Notes:
Nate Grimes – 19 points, 12 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1 steal, 1 assist

Scored a season-high 19 points.
Scored a double-double for the second time this season
Scored in double-figures for the seventh time this season.
Grabbed double-figure rebounds for the fourth time this season.
Posted his fifth career double-double.

Noah Blackwell – 17 points, 6 assists, 2 rebounds

Scored in double-figures for the fifth time this season
Led the team in assists for the fifth consecutive game
Made a season-high five three-pointers

Team Notes:

Fresno State now leads the all-time series with San Jose state 91-77 and the Bulldogs have won eight of the last 10 meetings with the Spartans.
Fresno State is now 43-3 in its last 46 games when shooting at least 50 percent from the field (5-0 this season).
Fresno State has made at least six 3-pointers in every game this season. The Bulldogs are 22-3 in the last 25 games making at least 10 3pt-FGs.
Fresno State is in the middle of a 12-game stretch of playing exclusively in the state of California (9-2 in the first 11 games of the Golden State run).
Fresno State improved to 2-5 all-time in Mountain West openers.
Fresno State improved to 2-5 all-time in Mountain West road openers.

Up Next: Fresno State will host Colorado State on Saturday at 7 p.m. PT at the Save Mart Center. Tickets for all remaining home games 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.