Blackwell nets 25 in 71-62 victory

Wednesday, February 19

Fresno, CA

7:00 PM PT

Fresno State

10-17, 6-10MW

Air Force

10-17, 4-11MW

Air Force

Fresno State

Photo by: Keith Kountz

Blackwell nets 25 in 71-62 victory

2/19/2020 9:45:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Photo Gallery (Keith Kountz)Cinematic Highlights (Eric Martinez)Game Highlights (Julia Vella)

Fresno State senior guard Noah Blackwell tied a career-high with 25 points to lead the Bulldogs to a 71-62 win over the Falcons on Wednesday night. The ’Dogs will next play at Nevada on Saturday night.

By: Stephen Trembley / Director of New Media

FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno State men's basketball team defeated the Air Force Falcons 71-62 on Wednesday night at the Save Mart Center.

The win moves Fresno State (10-17, 6-10 Mountain West) within a half game of New Mexico (17-11, 6-9 MW) in the conference standings. The Lobos are currently in seventh place in the MW, while the Bulldogs sit in eighth.

Fresno State senior guard Noah Blackwell tied a career-high with 25 points, and added five rebounds, three assists and a steal to lead the Bulldogs' offense. Senior forward Nate Grimes added 14 rebounds for the Bulldogs, who led for more than 38 of the game's 40 minutes.

Fresno State freshman Orlando Robinson had 10 points, while fellow freshmen Niven Hart had nine points, Jarred Hyder added eight points and Anthony Holland recorded six points with a season-high 11 rebounds.

Air Force (10-17, 4-11 MW) was led by Lavelle Scottie, who finished with 16 points for the Falcons.

Fresno State will next play at Nevada on Saturday night at 7 p.m. PT on ESPNU, and then return to the San Joaquin Valley for the Bulldogs' Feb. 29 regular season finale against Wyoming at the Save Mart Center.

How it happened: Fresno State jumped out to a 13-3 lead on Air Force and never trailed en route to a 32-28 lead over the Falcons at the halftime break.

While Air Force made big shots throughout the contest, the Bulldogs took advantage on the glass and outrebounded the Falcons 43-33.

Fresno State's defense also limited AFA to just 35.9 percent (23-for-64) from the field.

Quotes:
Justin Hutson, Fresno State head coach
On the game…
"I like to win, I really like to win to keep it simple. We did have to play a little zone."

On Noah Blackwell…
"I mean Noah has been playing well. He's a true good shooter. He's leading a little bit more with the ball, not as vocal as I would like but he sure is leading by example and he got the ball tonight. He took care of it, and found guys who contributed to our win. "

On whether the Bulldogs are thinking about their possible seed for the Mountain West tournament…
"We're not looking at that at all. Not yet. For us, it's just about practicing tomorrow and getting ready for Nevada. We're not necessarily trying to position ourselves and trying to miss somebody else, we're just trying to stop some of the mistakes that we make that let people in the game. And do some of the good things that we do a little more often."

On the Bulldogs' next game at Nevada on Saturday…
"It's an opportunity to get there and play a good team. They've been playing well and they're totally different talent than the team we played tonight. So that's exciting you know to get that and look at that film from tonight and get our guys in tomorrow and develop a game plan about how were going to guard them and how were going play."

Noah Blackwell, Fresno State senior guard
On the game…
"My teammates found me, that's part of it. Just shooting with confidence. I've been in the gym with Coach Brown, just getting my shot right."

On his look away move…
"Well I hoped he went for it, first off, because if he didn't I would have traveled, and I'm happy I didn't do that. Just saw I could finish the play and I did."

On being back, closer to 100 percent…
"Feels great just being out there with my teammates. Just working every day trying to get better. Just listening to the coaching staff."

Team Notes:

Fresno State is now 187-85 (68.8 percent) all-time at the Save Mart Center.
Fresno State improved to 83-30 overall at home since the start of the 2013-14 season, including a 19-11 home record in head coach Justin Hutson's tenure.
Fresno State has now won 13 of its last 15 meetings with Air Force, including 10 of its last 11 home games against the Falcons. The Bulldogs are also now 7-1 all-time in games played against AFA at the Save Mart Center.

"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 visit bulldogfoundation.org.