Bulldogs win The Basketball Classic

Friday, April 1

Conway, S.C.

3 p.m. PT

Fresno State

23-13,8-9Mountain West

Coastal Carolina

19-14,8-8Sun Belt

Fresno St.

Coastal Carolina

Photo by: Bob McCool / Fresno State Athletics

Bulldogs win The Basketball Classic

4/1/2022 6:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Fresno State led wire-to-wire while winning The Championship Game of The Basketball Classic, presented by ERACISM.

By: Stephen Trembley / Director of Strategic Communications

CONWAY, S.C. – The Fresno State men's basketball team defeated the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers 85-74 to win The Championship Game of The Basketball Classic, presented by ERACISM, on Friday in South Carolina at the HTC Center.

This is the second national postseason tournament championship for Fresno State (23-13), who won the NIT in 1983.

Fresno State junior forward Orlando Robinson scored a team-high 20 points to lead the Bulldogs to their second 23-win season in Hutson's first four seasons.

How it happened: Fresno State used a 13-1 run to start the game and later led 44-24 late in the first half in a lights-out shooting display en route to a 47-29 halftime lead on the road.

In the postseason and season finale, Fresno State led by as many as 24 points and wire-to-wire to secure the emphatic road win.

Destin Whitaker tied a school record by going 6-for-6 on 3-point field goal attempts in the game – the fourth time a Bulldog had a perfect 3-point field goal percentage with six makes (first since 2013).

For the game, Fresno State shot 53 percent from a field, including a sizzling 60 percent on 3-point field goals. The Bulldogs' defense also had six blocks, five steals and outrebounded CCU 27-23 on the defensive glass.

Robinson was named The Basketball Classic Most Valuable Player, while Robinson, Whitaker, Leo Colimerio and Isaiah Hill also earned All-Tournament Team honors.

Team Notes

This was Fresno State's 42nd postseason game in its Division I era (since the 1970-71 season).
This was Fresno State's 18th postseason appearance in its Division I era (25th all-time in program history) and first postseason appearance since 2017 (first in The Basketball Classic).
Fresno State won its second national postseason championship title (1983 - NIT).
This was Fresno State's third championship game postseason appearance in its Division I era (since 1971).
Fresno State improved to 24-18 all-time in postseason play in its Division I era (since the 1970-71 season).
This is Fresno State's eighth season with 23 or more wins in program history (second time in Hutson's four seasons).
Robinson now has 1,415 career points at Fresno State, which ranks 12th all-time in program histroy.

"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.