’Dogs rout Spartans to secure sweep

Sunday, January 10

Fresno, Calif.

4 p.m. PT

Fresno State

5-3, 3-3MW

San Jose State

2-8, 0-6MW

San Jose State

Fresno State

Photo by: Samuel Marshall

’Dogs rout Spartans to secure sweep

1/10/2021 7:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Fresno State led by as many 29 points in Sunday’s sweep-clinching win over San Jose State with sophomore guard Deon Stroud producing 22 points on 8-for-12 shooting, including five 3-pointers.

By: Stephen Trembley / Director of New Media

FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno State men's basketball team defeated the San Jose State Spartans 80-65 on Sunday at the Save Mart Center to secure a regular season sweep of the two-game Mountain West series.

Fresno State (5-3, 3-3 Mountain West) is now on a three-game winning streak and rose into tie for fifth place in the Mountain West standings heading into a four-game road trip, which features two-game series at Nevada and Boise State.

Fresno State sophomore guard Deon Stroud scored season-high 22 points on 8-for-12 shooting, including a 5-for-6 mark from beyond the 3-point line, to headline a strong performance by the Bulldogs.

Sophomore forward Orlando Robinson added 11 points, seven rebounds and a career-best six assists while being largely double teamed by San Jose State (2-8, 0-6 MW), which opened up scoring opportunities for Fresno State's backcourt.

How it happened: Fresno State used an 18-6 run early in the first half to take control and the Bulldogs worked their way to a 41-25 halftime lead over the Spartans.

Fresno State built a 29-point lead of 74-45 on Stroud's final of five 3-pointers with 6:29 remaining.

The Bulldogs made a season-best 13 3-pointers, with 11 of those coming from Fresno State's bench, who outscored SJSU's reserves 55-9 (30-2 in the first half).

Fresno State also had a season-low 10 turnovers and a tied season-high with 14 assists, which came on 29 made field goals.

Quotes:
Justin Hutson, Fresno State head coach
On winning their third straight Mountain West game…
"We are getting better. We are getting some games under our belt and some practices under our belts. We are playing a lot of different guys and finding out a little bit about our team."

On guards Jordan Campbell and Deon Stroud's ability to get to the rim…
"Those two guys are getting better every day and definitely have some athleticism, that's the key. They are starting to play defense and figuring out how to share the ball and they can score it. I am excited about their work ethic and how they are fighting to get into the rotation and they are earning everything that they have."

On improvements that were made since Friday…
"I was excited about both games. I am happy for these young man and our staff anytime we win a game. Those things come too hard especially in 2020, the way things are, I think we are becoming more consistent and certain guys are starting to figure things out a little better and they are starting to understand their roles and what we are asking from them."

Sophomore guard Deon Stroud
On what has been working in this three-game winning streak…
"Coach (Hutson) has been drilling us (on the details) and I took that initiative and applied it to the game and it worked. Getting lost in the game and lost on defense and offense will take care of itself."

On being a major contributor right now…
"I am just waiting my turn, staying level headed, staying in the gym and when my time comes, my time comes."

On momentum heading into Nevada…
"This builds a lot of confidence, we have been struggling to start off the season, but we got to take this and run with it going into Nevada. I think as a team today we bonded and came together."

Player Notes:
Deon Stroud — 22 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist (8-for-12 FG, including 5-for-6 3FG)

Stroud led the team with a season-high 22 points
Stroud scored in double figures for the seventh time this season (out of eight games)
Stroud made a game-high and season-high five three-pointers.

Jordan Campbell — 16 points, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks, 2 steals

Campbell scored a career-high 16 points and scored in double figures for the third time this season.
Campbell grabbed a team-high and career-high nine rebounds.
Campbell recorded a career-high two blocks and tied a career-best with two steals.

Orlando Robinson — 11 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 block, 1 steal

Robinson has scored in double figures in all eight games this season.
Robinson recorded a game-high and career-high 6 assists.

Team Notes

This was Fresno State's 36th win in Mountain West play by at least 10 points (15th in Hutson's tenure) and 21st by at least 15 points (eighth in Hutson's tenure).
Fresno State improved to 5-0 this season when allowing under 70 points (28-8 in Hutson's tenure).
This was the 173rd meeting in the all-time series between Fresno State and San Jose State with the Bulldogs now holding a 96-77 advantage (58-36 in games played in Fresno, including a 16-1 record versus the Spartans in games played at the Save Mart Center).
Since joining the MW in 2012, Fresno State is 13-2 against San Jose State, including a 6-0 record in Hutson's tenure.

Next up: Fresno State opens a four-game road trip with a two-game series at Nevada on Friday night (FS1) and Sunday afternoon (CBS Sports Network) and then the 'Dogs head to play at Boise State on Jan. 20 (FS1) and Jan. 22 (CBSSN). All games will also be broadcast on 940 AM ESPN Radio.

Fresno State's next home game is Jan. 28 when the Bulldogs host New Mexico 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 call 559-278-7160.