Saturday, January 30
Fresno, Calif.
4 p.m. PT
Fresno State
7-6, 5-6MW
65
vs
55
New Mexico
5-11, 1-11MW
1
2
F
New Mexico
28
27
55
Fresno State
28
37
65
Photo by: Samuel Marshall
Bulldogs grind out sweep of Lobos
1/30/2021 7:15:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Fresno State won its fifth straight home game and improved to 7-1 at the Save Mart Center this season after a sweep of New Mexico. The Bulldogs continue their homestand on Thursday night against Utah State.
FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno State men's basketball team defeated the New Mexico Lobos 65-55 on Saturday at the Save Mart Center.
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The win completed a series sweep for Fresno State (7-6, 5-6 Mountain West) over UNM, who the Bulldogs have now beat in eight of the last 10 meetings.
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Fresno State junior guard Junior Ballard scored a game-high 16 points on 5-for-8 shooting, including a 4-for-6 mark from beyond the 3-point line. Deon Stroud added 13 points, seven rebounds and two steals, while Anthony Holland also reached double figures with 10 points and five rebounds for the Bulldogs.
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New Mexico (5-11, 1-11 MW) was led by Makuach Maluach, who had 11 points, eight rebounds and three assists (no turnovers) for the Lobos.
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Fresno State has won five straight home games (7-1 at home this season) heading into next week's two-game series with Utah State at the Save Mart Center.
Key Stats: Fresno State had 14 assists on 20 made field goals and the Bulldogs made their final 15 free throw attempts (17-for-19 at the free throw line in the second half).
Quotes:
Justin Hutson, Fresno State head coach
On the impact of the Bulldogs' pressure defense...
"I think it had quite a bit of an impact, wearing them down, keeping them out of rhythm. We did get a few steals and get some easy baskets on it. You have to be deep to do that. Our guys off the bench have to play well, and our starters have to play well. It gives us opportunities to put that many guys in to continue to pressure. It gives us a little energy. They showed at times that it bothered them a little bit and they showed at times that they could break through and attack us. It's very new for us. We always pick up and usually we back up. But we have had a little time to talk about when we may run and jump, trap certain guys and do some things. We had some success with it tonight and I think it really helped."
On the team's growth...
"What I told them, I was proud of how they operated against changing defenses. That was not just a physical test, that was mentality. We had to operate together ... We operated. We moved the ball. We found the open man. We made open shots. I was excited about our growth, just from the start of Thursday to the end of Saturday playing against changing defenses."
Junior Ballard, Fresno State junior guard
"We know they like to run the clock a little bit for their offense, and on top of that we kind of wanted to tire them out and we saw that toward the end.  Coach was talking about, 'It's winning time.' We kind of learned from last game, in late game situations we have to be really smart with the ball. It was winning time. That was the message."
On making eight 3-pointers in the two-game sweep...
"Just staying consistent with the reps that I put in. That's really it. That aspect, just putting in the reps and never getting down with the confidence That's really it, just sticking with it.
Player Notes:
Anthony Holland – 10 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 assist
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"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.
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The win completed a series sweep for Fresno State (7-6, 5-6 Mountain West) over UNM, who the Bulldogs have now beat in eight of the last 10 meetings.
Â
Fresno State junior guard Junior Ballard scored a game-high 16 points on 5-for-8 shooting, including a 4-for-6 mark from beyond the 3-point line. Deon Stroud added 13 points, seven rebounds and two steals, while Anthony Holland also reached double figures with 10 points and five rebounds for the Bulldogs.
Â
New Mexico (5-11, 1-11 MW) was led by Makuach Maluach, who had 11 points, eight rebounds and three assists (no turnovers) for the Lobos.
Â
Fresno State has won five straight home games (7-1 at home this season) heading into next week's two-game series with Utah State at the Save Mart Center.
Key Stats: Fresno State had 14 assists on 20 made field goals and the Bulldogs made their final 15 free throw attempts (17-for-19 at the free throw line in the second half).
Quotes:
Justin Hutson, Fresno State head coach
On the impact of the Bulldogs' pressure defense...
"I think it had quite a bit of an impact, wearing them down, keeping them out of rhythm. We did get a few steals and get some easy baskets on it. You have to be deep to do that. Our guys off the bench have to play well, and our starters have to play well. It gives us opportunities to put that many guys in to continue to pressure. It gives us a little energy. They showed at times that it bothered them a little bit and they showed at times that they could break through and attack us. It's very new for us. We always pick up and usually we back up. But we have had a little time to talk about when we may run and jump, trap certain guys and do some things. We had some success with it tonight and I think it really helped."
On the team's growth...
"What I told them, I was proud of how they operated against changing defenses. That was not just a physical test, that was mentality. We had to operate together ... We operated. We moved the ball. We found the open man. We made open shots. I was excited about our growth, just from the start of Thursday to the end of Saturday playing against changing defenses."
Junior Ballard, Fresno State junior guard
"We know they like to run the clock a little bit for their offense, and on top of that we kind of wanted to tire them out and we saw that toward the end.  Coach was talking about, 'It's winning time.' We kind of learned from last game, in late game situations we have to be really smart with the ball. It was winning time. That was the message."
On making eight 3-pointers in the two-game sweep...
"Just staying consistent with the reps that I put in. That's really it. That aspect, just putting in the reps and never getting down with the confidence That's really it, just sticking with it.
Player Notes:
Anthony Holland – 10 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 assist
- Holland scored in double figures for the second time in his career.
- Holland went 4-for-4 at the free throw line.Â
- Ballard scored in double figures for third time this season.
- Ballard made four 3-point field goals for the second straight game.
- Ballard played a team high 35 minutes.
- Stroud scored in double figures for the tenth time.
- Stroud scored in double figures for the third consecutive game.
- Stroud grabbed a team-high seven rebounds, setting a new career high.Â
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"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.
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Team Stats
NM
FS
FG%
.354
.465
3FG%
.217
.292
FT%
.444
.750
RB
40
30
TO
16
16
STL
7
9
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
16
FGM
5
3FGM
4
FTM
2
Pts
13
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
7
Pts
10
FGM
2
3FGM
2
FTM
4
Pts
7
FGM
1
3FGM
1
FTM
4
Players Mentioned
G
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