Saturday, November 30
Northridge, CA
3:00 PM PT
Fresno State
2-4
72
at
73
CSUN
1-7
1
2
F
Fresno State
41
31
72
CSUN
39
34
73
Grimes’ double-double not enough
11/30/2019 6:15:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Fresno State senior forward Nate Grimes posted his 17th career double-double with a season-high 20 points and 11 rebounds in the Bulldogs’ fourth game away from the Save Mart Center this season.
NORTHRIDGE, Calif. --- After building multiple double-digit leads, the Fresno State men's basketball team came up short at the free throw line in falling 73-72 to the CSUN Matadors on Saturday afternoon at The Matadome.
For Fresno State, it was the second time in as many true road games that the Bulldogs had a chance to win on an opponent's home floor only to be denied despite strong post play and making big shots at key moments.
Senior forward Nate Grimes scored a season-high 20 points with 11 rebounds for his 17th career double-double (third this season), and freshman forward Orlando Robinson added 16 points with seven rebounds for the Bulldogs. Grimes and Robinson combined to shoot 68.2 percent from the field (15-for-22) for Fresno State (2-4).
CSUN (1-7) was led by Terrell Gomez, who had a game-high 31 points.
How it happened: Fresno State led by as many as 11 points when freshman guard Jarred Hyder lobbed a pass to Grimes, who slammed home the alley-oop dunk to give the Bulldogs a 26-15 lead over the Matadors in the first half.
CSUN responded with a 16-4 run, which Hyder ended with a corner 3-pointer to a start a 9-0 stretch for the Bulldogs, who took a 39-31 lead. The Matadors closed the half by scoring eight of the final 10 points before halftime, including a halftime half-court buzzer beater by Darius Brown II, to cut the Bulldogs' lead down to 41-39 at the break.
Fresno State rebuilt its lead back to double-digits twice in the second half and held a 57-48 advantage over the Matadors before CSUN answered. Gomez capped a 13-2 run for the home team with one of his seven 3-pointers in the contest, which put the Bulldogs behind 61-59 with 6:45 to play.
But the Bulldogs continued to battle down the stretch with six lead changes in the next three minutes.
Grimes and Hyder scored at the basket on back-to-back possessions sandwiched in between a defensive stop by the 'Dogs, which evened the score at 71-71 entering the game's final minute. Three fouls were called in the final 43 seconds, with CSUN using its last two free throws to finish off the Matadors' comeback. Fresno State led for 31 of the game's 40 minutes, just not at the final buzzer.
As a team, the Bulldogs outshot CSUN 48.2 percent to 41.1 percent from the field, but Fresno State was only able to force six turnovers in a game that featured 14 lead changes.
Quotes
Justin Hutson, Fresno State head coach
"We had opportunities a couple of times. It was very clear to see that we have some talent. We did a lot of good things. We got out to a lead, and tonight it wasn't turnovers like we normally have, tonight it was defensive breakdowns. We didn't call switch, didn't rebound the ball, and didn't know who we had. That's (what often happens with) a young team… I love my guys. They're playing well. They're learning. Both times on the road here with these tough games we've had a chance to win."
Player Notes
Nate Grimes - 20 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 8-for-11 FG (2-4 3FG)
A special $10 ticket offer is available online only for a limited time, which includes a ticket to Wednesday's MW home opener and an additional December home game (fan choice). To purchase this exclusive package (two games for $10), visit www.fevo.me/blackfriday19.
"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as the y strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in life. To become a BDF member, please call 559-278-7160.
For Fresno State, it was the second time in as many true road games that the Bulldogs had a chance to win on an opponent's home floor only to be denied despite strong post play and making big shots at key moments.
Senior forward Nate Grimes scored a season-high 20 points with 11 rebounds for his 17th career double-double (third this season), and freshman forward Orlando Robinson added 16 points with seven rebounds for the Bulldogs. Grimes and Robinson combined to shoot 68.2 percent from the field (15-for-22) for Fresno State (2-4).
CSUN (1-7) was led by Terrell Gomez, who had a game-high 31 points.
How it happened: Fresno State led by as many as 11 points when freshman guard Jarred Hyder lobbed a pass to Grimes, who slammed home the alley-oop dunk to give the Bulldogs a 26-15 lead over the Matadors in the first half.
CSUN responded with a 16-4 run, which Hyder ended with a corner 3-pointer to a start a 9-0 stretch for the Bulldogs, who took a 39-31 lead. The Matadors closed the half by scoring eight of the final 10 points before halftime, including a halftime half-court buzzer beater by Darius Brown II, to cut the Bulldogs' lead down to 41-39 at the break.
Fresno State rebuilt its lead back to double-digits twice in the second half and held a 57-48 advantage over the Matadors before CSUN answered. Gomez capped a 13-2 run for the home team with one of his seven 3-pointers in the contest, which put the Bulldogs behind 61-59 with 6:45 to play.
But the Bulldogs continued to battle down the stretch with six lead changes in the next three minutes.
Grimes and Hyder scored at the basket on back-to-back possessions sandwiched in between a defensive stop by the 'Dogs, which evened the score at 71-71 entering the game's final minute. Three fouls were called in the final 43 seconds, with CSUN using its last two free throws to finish off the Matadors' comeback. Fresno State led for 31 of the game's 40 minutes, just not at the final buzzer.
As a team, the Bulldogs outshot CSUN 48.2 percent to 41.1 percent from the field, but Fresno State was only able to force six turnovers in a game that featured 14 lead changes.
Quotes
Justin Hutson, Fresno State head coach
"We had opportunities a couple of times. It was very clear to see that we have some talent. We did a lot of good things. We got out to a lead, and tonight it wasn't turnovers like we normally have, tonight it was defensive breakdowns. We didn't call switch, didn't rebound the ball, and didn't know who we had. That's (what often happens with) a young team… I love my guys. They're playing well. They're learning. Both times on the road here with these tough games we've had a chance to win."
Player Notes
Nate Grimes - 20 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 8-for-11 FG (2-4 3FG)
- Posted his 17th career double-double (third this season)
- Scored 20 points for the third time in his career (first time this season)
- Grabbed 11 rebounds for his 21st double-digit rebounding game of his career (third this season)
- Third game this season making at least two 3-pointers
- Fresno State is now 27-6 all-time against in its all-time series with CSUN, which includes a 9-3 record in true road games.
- Fresno State is now 19-3 when leading at halftime during Hutson's tenure.
- Fresno State is now 7-6 on the road during Hutson's tenure.
A special $10 ticket offer is available online only for a limited time, which includes a ticket to Wednesday's MW home opener and an additional December home game (fan choice). To purchase this exclusive package (two games for $10), visit www.fevo.me/blackfriday19.
"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as the y strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in life. To become a BDF member, please call 559-278-7160.
Team Stats
FS
CSUN
FG%
.482
.411
3FG%
.314
.429
FT%
.583
.882
RB
33
28
TO
8
6
STL
2
2
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
20
FGM
8
3FGM
2
FTM
2
Pts
16
FGM
7
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
12
FGM
4
3FGM
4
FTM
0
Pts
8
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballF
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