Defense fuels 63-55 win over UCI

Saturday, December 11

Fresno, Calif.

4 P.M. PT

Fresno State

8-2,0-0Mountain West

UC Irvine

5-2,0-0Big West

UC Irvine

Fresno St.

Defense fuels 63-55 win over UCI

12/11/2021 6:30:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Fresno State guard Jemarl Baker, Jr., scored a season-high 18 points to lead the Bulldogs to a hard-fought 63-55 win over UC Irvine.

By: Stephen Trembley / Director of Strategic Communications

FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno State men's basketball team defeated the UC Irvine Anteaters 63-55 on Saturday at the Save Mart Center.

In a battle of the two top scoring defenses in the West, Fresno State (8-2) frustrated UCI (5-2) by disrupting passing lanes and actions, and took advantage of turnovers.

Fresno State guard Jemarl Baker, Jr. scored a season-high 18 points, including six in the final minute to seal the Bulldogs' sixth-straight home win.

Deon Stroud added 11 points for the Bulldogs, which saw its bench outscore UCI 37-21. JC Butler had a team-best 14 points for the Anteaters, who entered the game with the nation's top scoring defense.

How it happened: Fresno State had control of most of the first half until the Anteaters cut the Bulldogs' lead to 20-19.

That's when the 'Dogs used a 10-2 run to build some separation late in the first half and into the second half, which included a double-digit lead at 31-21 early in opening 90 seconds after intermission.

Fresno State led by as many as 14 midway through the final 20 minutes when Jordan Campbell converted an old-fashioned 3-point play with a lay-up and a free throw, which put the 'Dogs up 43-29.

UCI battled back to within a possession twice before Baker and the Bulldogs iced the game in the final two minutes.

Fresno State outscored the Anteaters 26-11 in points off turnovers, with the Bulldogs forcing 21 UCI turnovers, including 15 in the first half.

Quotes:
Justin Hutson, Fresno State head coach
On what it took to beat UC Irvine as the second of two tough games this week..
"We made some timely shots down the stretch. If you look at both of those games even though they were different teams, we played hard defense, played well in spots, other team takes a shot, but I think we made some timely shots tonight.

On Orlando Robinson affecting winning in more than just scoring...
"He affected winning in a lot of different ways out there. That was encouraging. He was still able to play sone nice defense, rebound the ball and make some nice passes and make some nice free throws. He wanted to play better and we'll get better at that.

On Jemarl Baker, Jr., providing a veteran experience and key lift off the bench on Saturday...
"First of all, he's still not 100 percent healthy. He wants to play; he's fighting through this so you can imagine what a mental challenge that is for him. He's not all of a sudden magically healthy so he doesn't get a lot of practice time. So, he's finding rhythm out there in the game and that shows testament to him of what a tough basketball player he is with not having a lot of practice time. And the type of person he is fighting adversity and I have confidence in him. We've been trying to get old and when you see Jemarl, you see an experienced player.

Jemarl Baker, Jr., Fresno State guard...
On how it felt to have a game like he had...
"It feels good. I was sitting for so long trying to cheer the team on and it was hard so just being back and being able to contribute just feels good.

On the team's potential..
"We have all the talent we need. We have everything we need, we just have to put the pieces together. So just continue to practice and continue to work together and grow. Both in defense and offense. We can be good though, just putting it all together.

Team Notes:

Fresno State improved to 6-0 at home this season.
Fresno State is off to its best start (8-2) through 10 games since opening 9-1 in 2006.
Fresno Staten now leads the all-time series with UC Irvine 29-10 (overall), including an 18-2 record in games played in Fresno.
This was just the fifth meeting between the California programs since 1992 when the schools were in the Big West. Fresno State has won four of those last five meetings.
Fresno State improved to 37-6 in head coach Justin Hutson's tenure when recording a better assist-to-turnover ratio than its opponent (16 straight wins).
Fresno State also improved to 16-1 in Hutson's tenure when allowing under 60 points.
Fresno State made its first 11 free throws attempts and finished with a season-best and Save Mart Center-record 90.5 percent at the charity stripe (19-for-21).
By forcing 15 first-half turnovers on Saturday, Fresno State has now forced 29 first-half turnovers in its last two home games.

Player Notes:

Jemarl Baker, Jr. was the leading scorer in the game with a season-best 18 points.
Baker made a season-high six free throws.
Deon Stroud made a season-high seven free throws.
Deon Stroud scored in double figures for the third time this season and 20th time as a Bulldog.
Leo Colimerio tied his season-best with two steals.
Junior Ballard scored a season-high six points.
Orlando Robinson recorded a career-best four steals.

"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.