Monday, December 28
Fort Collins, Colo.
5 p.m. PT
Fresno State
2-1,0-1MW
53
at
75
Colorado State
4-1,1-0MW
1
2
F
Fresno State
22
31
53
Colorado St.
33
42
75
Photo by: Cris Tiller
Bulldogs fall to Rams in MW opener
12/28/2020 7:55:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Fresno State and Colorado State will also meet on Wednesday afternoon to finish off the conference-opening two-game series.
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – The Fresno State men's basketball team lost 75-53 to the Colorado State Rams on Monday night at Moby Arena to open Mountain West play and a two-game series in Fort Collins.
Fresno State sophomore forward Orlando Robinson produced his third double-double in as many games to start the season. Robinson finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds in the contest.
For Fresno State (2-1, 0-1 Mountain West), it was the sixth time in the last seven seasons that the Bulldogs have opened conference play on the road. The game also marked Fresno State's first game against a Division I opponent this season.
Fresno State and CSU (4-1, 1-0 MW) will also meet on Wednesday at 1 p.m. PT to wrap-up the two-game league series.
How it happened: Fresno State struggled to find its offensive rhythm and shot just 4-for-23 from long range.
The Bulldogs' 22 turnovers led to 31 points for the Rams, while Fresno State, who never led, managed just 12 points off CSU's 15 turnovers.
Fresno State's offense did outscore Colorado State 24-16 in the paint, largely fueled by Robinson making four of his five two-point field goals in the post. Robinson's other basket came after a jab-step baseline jumper.
Colorado State sophomore David Roddy scored a game-high 19 points with 13 rebounds, while preseason All-MW sophomore guard Isaiah Stevens added 16 points and nine assists for the Rams.
In addition to Robinson's double-double, Fresno State sophomore guard Isaiah Hill added 10 points and senior guard Devin Gage tallied nine points off the bench.
Quotes
Justin Hutson, Fresno State head coach
On the game...
"Experience is the best teacher. It doesn't mean it wasn't disappointing. We definitely have some talent and we have to play with more discipline and more poise. We have to take care of the ball … turnovers in any sport, if you turn the ball over too many times you're going to lose in that sport and that's the first thing you're going to look to and that's the first thing you have to stop."
On Fresno State's 3-point shot selection...
"I thought the right guys shot them. I just thought they shot them too quick."
Keith Brown, Fresno State assistant coach
On how CSU late first-half run...
"I think it happened as a result of two things. One, it was either off turnovers or shot selection and, you know, poor shot selection is not much different than a turnover and it creates number opportunities and that's when they got out and ran. They're one of the best transition teams in the conference in terms of quick strike, blood mentality and then finding open shooters and they made shots. That's their strength and that's what they go to and that's something we were trying to negate, but it's hard to negate if you don't take care of the basketball."
On Orlando Robinson...
"I thought there was a phase in the game where he and Christian Gray both, where we focused on getting the ball into them and they made good decisions, we ended up with cutters, we got some open shots. We were going inside out. We had some stretches like that where we were very good. They are a physical team, and it was no surprise at all how they were going to guard him. That's the way they prepared to play last year and I thought he made some good reads and good decisions and we did a good job of getting the ball to him in areas where he could operate. There certainly are things he could do better, but in general I thought he handled the double teams well and found open men."
Team Notes
"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.
Fresno State sophomore forward Orlando Robinson produced his third double-double in as many games to start the season. Robinson finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds in the contest.
For Fresno State (2-1, 0-1 Mountain West), it was the sixth time in the last seven seasons that the Bulldogs have opened conference play on the road. The game also marked Fresno State's first game against a Division I opponent this season.
Fresno State and CSU (4-1, 1-0 MW) will also meet on Wednesday at 1 p.m. PT to wrap-up the two-game league series.
How it happened: Fresno State struggled to find its offensive rhythm and shot just 4-for-23 from long range.
The Bulldogs' 22 turnovers led to 31 points for the Rams, while Fresno State, who never led, managed just 12 points off CSU's 15 turnovers.
Fresno State's offense did outscore Colorado State 24-16 in the paint, largely fueled by Robinson making four of his five two-point field goals in the post. Robinson's other basket came after a jab-step baseline jumper.
Colorado State sophomore David Roddy scored a game-high 19 points with 13 rebounds, while preseason All-MW sophomore guard Isaiah Stevens added 16 points and nine assists for the Rams.
In addition to Robinson's double-double, Fresno State sophomore guard Isaiah Hill added 10 points and senior guard Devin Gage tallied nine points off the bench.
Quotes
Justin Hutson, Fresno State head coach
On the game...
"Experience is the best teacher. It doesn't mean it wasn't disappointing. We definitely have some talent and we have to play with more discipline and more poise. We have to take care of the ball … turnovers in any sport, if you turn the ball over too many times you're going to lose in that sport and that's the first thing you're going to look to and that's the first thing you have to stop."
On Fresno State's 3-point shot selection...
"I thought the right guys shot them. I just thought they shot them too quick."
Keith Brown, Fresno State assistant coach
On how CSU late first-half run...
"I think it happened as a result of two things. One, it was either off turnovers or shot selection and, you know, poor shot selection is not much different than a turnover and it creates number opportunities and that's when they got out and ran. They're one of the best transition teams in the conference in terms of quick strike, blood mentality and then finding open shooters and they made shots. That's their strength and that's what they go to and that's something we were trying to negate, but it's hard to negate if you don't take care of the basketball."
On Orlando Robinson...
"I thought there was a phase in the game where he and Christian Gray both, where we focused on getting the ball into them and they made good decisions, we ended up with cutters, we got some open shots. We were going inside out. We had some stretches like that where we were very good. They are a physical team, and it was no surprise at all how they were going to guard him. That's the way they prepared to play last year and I thought he made some good reads and good decisions and we did a good job of getting the ball to him in areas where he could operate. There certainly are things he could do better, but in general I thought he handled the double teams well and found open men."
Team Notes
- This was the 39th meeting in the all-time series with Colorado State now owning a 21-18 edge in those contests. Since joining the MW in 2012, Fresno State is now 7-12 against CSU.
- Fresno State is now 2-7 all-time in MW openers and 2-7 in MW road openers.
"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.
Team Stats
FS
CSU
FG%
.408
.480
3FG%
.174
.429
FT%
.474
.714
RB
35
31
TO
22
15
STL
6
8
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
14
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Pts
10
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
9
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Pts
6
FGM
2
3FGM
1
FTM
1
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballF
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