’Dogs swept by CSU in first series

Wednesday, December 30

Fort Collins, Colo.

1 p.m. PT

Fresno State

Colorado State

’Dogs swept by CSU in first series

12/30/2020 4:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Fresno State hosts Wyoming on Saturday and Monday to open a four-game homestand at the Save Mart Center.

By: Stephen Trembley / Director of New Media

FORT COLLINS, Colo. – The Fresno State men's basketball team suffered an 81-59 road loss to the Colorado State Rams on Wednesday afternoon at Moby Arena.

Fresno State sophomore forward Orlando Robinson scored a season-high 19 points and tied his career-high 15 rebounds for his fourth straight double-double to begin the season. This was the ninth double-double of Robinson's career.

Deon Stroud produced 16 points on 7-for-10 shooting in nearly 16 minutes before fouling out for the Bulldogs, who were playing their second game of the 2020-21 season against a Division I opponent.

The loss was the second for Fresno State (2-2, 0-2 Mountain West) to Colorado State (5-1, 2-0 MW) during the two-game conference-opening series in Fort Collins.

The Bulldogs will next play on Saturday and then Monday in a two-game series with the Wyoming Cowboys back home at the Save Mart Center. Both games will be broadcast on the Mountain West Network and 940 AM ESPN Radio.

How it happened: After Robinson opened the scoring with a driving lay-up to the basket on a baseline out-of-bounds assist from Isaiah Hill, CSU scored the next 11 points and that just was just the beginning a big opening half for the Rams, who worked their way to a 41-17 halftime lead over the Bulldogs.

Fresno State's first three baskets were cutting or driving lay-ups as the Bulldogs attacked the paint and looked to create high-percentage shots early, but often settled for long-range looks throughout the contest. The 'Dogs converted 20 percent of their 3-point field goal attempts (6-for-30) and finished with a 34.3 percent clip overall (23-for-67) field goal percentage.

Colorado State took advantage of their opportunities on both ends of the floor, including the free throw line where the Rams went 26-for-32 (81.3 percent), while the Bulldogs converted seven of their 14 opportunities at the charity stripe.

While CSU had a slight advantage on the glass, Fresno State had 14 offensive rebounds and allowed just two by Colorado State, with the Bulldogs outscoring the Rams 11-2 in second-chance points.

Quotes:
Justin Hutson, Fresno State head coach
On the game…
"We got the ball in and sprayed it out for open shots and missed them. We had some great looks inside from Orlando and Christian (especially in the first half). We had some great looks for Anthony and Junior outside. We missed free throws. So I came in at halftime saying we got great looks, we're going to have to put the ball in the basket. But I wasn't impressed with the second half. I didn't like the way we played in the second half.

On Deon Stroud…
"Deon Stroud is a guy who is ready to play when the lights are on and he started off in the starting lineup. We want him to play a little better defense. He started playing better defense. He moved back into the starting lineup in the second half. I saw his fire, not just because he put the ball in the basket. I thought he played the right way. He still has a ways to go, but I liked his fire, his intensity and his competitiveness at halftime and carrying it into the second half."

Keith Brown, Fresno State assistant coach
On the team…
"I think we have a group of guys that mesh well together and like each other, but some of that chemistry hasn't translated on the floor yet… Orlando is a willing passer and can draw double teams, and his teammates are learning where to be and how to react and how to respond to double teams and those types of things as well. (Orlando) I think is doing a great job getting the ball and distributing it out of double teams. We didn't help him much tonight with making some shots. We had some wide open shots that we missed."

On Stroud's development…
"I like his energy. Deon plays hard. When he can apply his athletic ability at the same level at both ends of the floor, offensive and defensively, that's the type of player he wants to be. He's also a young man that works really hard in terms of individual workouts and putting in extra work. It's always rewarding to see kids that work hard and put in the time get rewarded for it. I think that was fun to see tonight. Now, he has to do it also, as all his teammates have to do, when it's not going great as well. Also, when it is going well. We'll find a balance there. But I like his energy. I like his talent level, his ability to score. I really like him as an offensive rebounder, as well, too."

Notes:

This was the 40th meeting in the all-time series with Colorado State now owning a 22-18 edge in those contests. Since joining the MW in 2012, Fresno State is now 7-13 against CSU.
Sophomore forward Orlando Robinson recorded his fourth straight double-double (ninth of his career). Robinson is the first Bulldog to post a double-double in four consecutive games since Dominic McGuire did so during the 2006-07 season. This was the 10th game of Robinson's Fresno State career with 10 or more rebounds.

Next up: Fresno State returns to the Save Mart Center for a four-game homestand when the Bulldogs host the Wyoming Cowboys on Jan. 2 and Jan. 4, and then host the San Jose State Spartans on Jan. 8 and Jan. 10. All four 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.