’Dogs beat FPU in first game back

Saturday, December 19

Fresno, Calif.

4 p.m. PT

Fresno State

2-0

Fresno Pacific

Fresno State

Photo by: Samuel Marshall

’Dogs beat FPU in first game back

12/19/2020 8:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Photo Gallery

Junior Ballard scored 17 points in his return home to the Valley leading Fresno State to a 78-65 nonconference victory over Fresno Pacific on Saturday.

By: Stephen Trembley / Director of New Media

FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno State men's basketball team defeated the Fresno Pacific Sunbirds 78-65 wire-to-wire in a nonconference contest on Saturday afternoon at the Save Mart Center.

Fresno State (2-0) was led by junior guard Junior Ballard, who had a team-high 17 points, and sophomore forward Orlando Robinson recorded his seventh career double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds for the Bulldogs.

Isaiah Hill added 12 points with six assists and three steals for Fresno State, who was playing its 275th home game at the Save Mart Center, which has been the Bulldogs' home arena since December 2003.

The game was likely Fresno State's final nonconference game before starting Mountain West play at Colorado State on Dec. 28.

How it happened: Fresno State never trailed in its first game in 24 days in a pretty strong defensive effort, especially on the glass and in the first half. The 'Dogs used an 18-1 run to pull away late in the opening session and maintained control down the stretch.

The Bulldogs regularly disrupted passing lanes – significantly in the opening 20 minutes, which saw Fresno State's defense hold the Sunbirds to just 14 first-half points on five made field goals (5-for-35, 14.3 percent).

Fresno State outrebounded FPU 51-43 and had a 14-3 advantage over the Sunbirds in second-chance points.

Team Notes:

Fresno State has now won 30 straight games against non-Division I opponents.
This is Fresno State's fourth straight 2-0 home start to the season.
Fresno State is 2-0 to start the season to start the season for the first time in Hutson's tenure.
This was the Bulldogs' 275th home game at the Save Mart Center.
Fresno State improved to 190-85 (69.1 percent) all-time at the Save Mart Center, which the Bulldogs have called home since December 2003.

Next up: Fresno State opens conference play with two road games at Colorado State on Dec. 28 and Dec. 30. Both games will be broadcast on the Mountain West Network and 940 AM ESPN Radio.

"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in life. To become a BDF member, please call 559-278-7160.