Fresno State
5-12, 1-5MW
No. 7/6 San Diego State
18-0, 7-0MW
'Dogs fall to No. 7/6 Aztecs, 64-55
1/14/2020 11:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Fresno State freshman forward Orlando Robinson scored a team-high 18 points, including a perfect 6-for-6 mark at the free throw line, in the Bulldogs' 64-55 loss to No. 7/6 San Diego State.
Fresno State (5-12, 1-5 Mountain West) used the momentum from the Red Wae to contend with the Aztecs, with freshman forward Orlando Robinson going for a team-high 18 points and six rebounds. Senior guard New Williams added 15 points for the Bulldogs.
San Diego State (18-0, 6-0 MW) remained one of the nation's two undefeated teams with junior transfer Malachi Flynn leading the Aztecs with a game-high 22 points, while shooting 7-of-14 from the field.
How it happened: Similar to their first matchup of the season, the Fresno State and San Diego State defenses were in full force early. The Bulldogs were led by 6-foot-10 freshman Orlando Robinson, who boasted his seventh double-digit appearance in his college career with 18 points, six rebounds, and two assists.
The Bulldogs got in a rhythm early in the game and grabbed what would be their largest lead of 9-4 in the first four minutes.
With the score tied up at 21 with under four minutes in the half, the Aztecs executed on key possessions and worked their way in front 26-21 - a lead SDSU never relinquished.
Fresno State did outrebound San Diego State for the second time this season, including a 10-to-5 advantage on the offensive glass, and the Bulldogs held the Aztecs to just three 3-pointers on 18 attempts. As a team, Fresno State shot just 36.4 percent from the field, including a 5-for-17 clip (29.4 percent) from the beyond the 3-point line.
Quotes:
Justin Hutson, Fresno State head coach
On the game—
"I thought we played hard and we played pretty good defense. There were a few breakdowns, but when you're playing a team of that caliber there are going to be some breakdowns. Sometimes they make you break down."
On recent opponents creating separation in final minutes of the half—
"They made some good plays. All those teams made some good plays at the end of the half, and we got stagnant on offense."
On having multiple guards playing and if it is causing the stagnation—
"When you've had so many injuries like we've had and guys in and out of the lineup, you're playing different rotations. It's not gonna be very easy to flow. We had enough time this week to flow a little better than we did, but hats off to them. They're a very good defensive team. But when you have the injuries we've had, it's hard to work on that. We watch a little film about it. We talk through it. But you look out there and sometimes we have four or five freshmen out on the floor, and that's called experience."
On tonight's rotation and if it will continue (only Blackwell & Campbell off the bench)—
"I could see one or two more guys going in. Especially as Noah gets more minutes, that looks like it's going to be the rotation. But I could see one or two more guys getting in it at times, depending on matchups."
On Orlando Robinson—
"All of the games are helping us. Every time they go out there and play they're getting more experience. They're playing different styles of basketball. They have different matchups, different responsibilities. We'd like to get that experience winning, but we're not. But we're getting some experience."
On the upcoming road games—
"Best thing that can happen: stay healthy and win some games. If we can stay healthy and win some games that would be great."
New Williams, Fresno State senior guard
On the atmosphere in the Save Mart Center when facing the No. 7 team—
"We have a great fan base and they came out tonight and they supported us and we appreciate the Red Wave. We had a good crowd tonight so the atmosphere was pretty good."
On what he looks forward to/motivation—
"Getting better every day, making the right plays in practice so that we can translate that to the game, and just developing as a group. Getting that comradery on the court, so that it can translate to games. It starts in practice."
Player Notes:
Orlando Robinson – 18 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals 1 block
- Led the Bulldogs with 18 points.
- Scored in double-figures for the seventh consecutive game.
- Scored in double-figures for the 11th time this season.
- Was 6-of-12 from the field.
- Was a perfect 6-of-6 from the three point line.
- Scored in double–figures for the third consecutive game.
- Scored in double-figures for the seventh time this season, 21st time in his career.
- Was 5-of-8 from the field, and 3-of-5 from the three-point line.
- Fresno State is now 19-76 all-time against AP Top 25 teams
- Fresno State is now 5-8 when outrebounding its opponent this season.
- Fresno State is now 2-6 this season when three Bulldogs score in double-figures.
- Fresno State went 10-for-11 from the free throw line, shooting 90.9 percent.
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