Bulldogs edged in battle at Utah

Tuesday, December 21

Salt Lake City, Utah

4 p.m. PT

Fresno State

9-3,0-0Mountain West

Utah

8-4,1-1Pac-12

Fresno St.

Utah

Photo by: Jonathan Wang

Bulldogs edged in battle at Utah

12/21/2021 7:20:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Fresno State forward Orlando Robinson scored a game-high 17 points in the Bulldogs’ hard-fought 55-50 loss at Utah.

By: Stephen Trembley / Director of Strategic Communications

SALT LAKE CITY – The Fresno State men's basketball team lost 55-50 at Utah on Tuesday at the Jon M. Huntsman Center.

In the loss, Fresno State (9-3) held a Utah (8-4) squad, who entered Tuesday averaging 78.5 points per home game this season, to a season-low 55 points in what felt like a 12-round battle in the ring.

The Bulldogs' relentless and tenacious defense, which ranks as one of the Top 10 scoring defenses in the nation, caused fits for the Runnin' Utes by forcing contested long jump shots and quickly closing passing lanes nearly from start to finish.

Fresno State junior forward Orlando Robinson scored a game-high 17 points with nine rebounds, while Isaiah Hill and Anthony Holland each had nine points and Deon Stroud added seven points, a career-best 10 rebounds and four assists for the Bulldogs.

How it happened: Fresno State used a 10-0 run in three minutes to take a 16-11 lead over Utah midway through the first half.

The Bulldogs also led 23-22 at halftime and by as many as two with 5:46 to play when Anthony Holland drained a 3-pointer from the left wing.

After being held to just 30.8 percent shooting in the first half, Utah made enough shots and stops to win, and used a 48 percent field goal percentage in the second 20 minutes to hold off Fresno State's large surge, which included the Bulldogs making it a one-possession game in the final minute.

Fresno State and Utah were even in the paint (18-18) and second-chance points (11-11), while the Bulldogs had slight advantages in points off turnovers (9-7) and reserve contributions (13-12).

Both teams struggled to get to the free throw line with the 'Dogs going more than a 27-minute stretch without attempting a free throw from the second minute of the game until almost midway through the second half.

Team Notes:

Fresno State now trails the all-time series 12-4 (overall), including a 1-8 record in games played in Salt Lake City.
This was the first meeting between the programs since the first round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament, which Utah won 80-69 in Denver, and was originally scheduled for 2020, but was postponed to 2021.
In nonconference play, Fresno State has had four NET Top 100 teams on its schedule so far (2-2 record).
This was the 20th time in Hutson's tenure that Fresno State has held its opponent under 60 points (18-2 record).
By outrebounding Utah 40-35, Fresno State has now outrebounded its opponent in nine of 12 games this season.
This was Fresno State's first game this season decided by five or fewer points.

Up Next: Fresno State will visit Weber State on Thursday at 3 p.m. PT on ESPN+ and the Bulldog Sports Network (FOX Sports 1340 AM in Fresno and FOX Sports 970 AM in Bakersfield).

"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.