Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
6-11,2-4Mountain West
Air Force
11-7,2-3Mountain West
Bulldogs edged by Falcons
1/14/2023 7:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State men's basketball team delivered a gutsy effort, but fell short in trying to overcome a depleted rotation losing 51-48 to Air Force on Saturday at the Save Mart Center before a season-high 5,864 fans.
Fresno State (6-11, 2-4 Mountain West) played a seven-man rotation with six players unavailable due to injury and led for more than 30 minutes before faltering down the stretch.
Eduardo Andre finished with a team-high 14 points and corralled a career-high 15 rebounds for his second double-double of the season for Fresno State.
Donavan Yap recorded 13 points, Jordan Campbell chipped in 10 and Anthony Holland added seven on his birthday and 100th career game.
Air Force (11-7, 2-3 MW) was led in scoring by Ethan Taylor with 15 points and five assists, and Marcell McCreary added 13 for the Falcons.
How It Happened
Getting off to a quick start, the 'Dogs jumped out in front 6-0 and increased their lead to as large as 12 after a layup from Yap put the Bulldogs ahead 22-10 with 4:39 to play in the opening half.
Air Force closed out the half on a 10-4 run - holding the 'Dogs to a pair of field goals as Fresno State took a 26-20 lead to the break.
A layup from Campbell kept the 'Dogs in front by five at 34-29 in the early going of the second half, but the Falcons responded with an 8-0 run to take a three-point lead after a three-pointer by Taylor.
The 'Dogs answered back with an 8-0 run of their own to go back up five at 42-37 after a three-pointer by Holland with 8:03 remaining in the second half.
The Bulldogs' offense struggled over the next three-plus minutes as Air Force reeled off an 11-0 run to go up 48-42 with the 'Dogs able to cut the Falcons' lead to three in the final minute of regulation, but could not get any closer in the hard-fought and short-handed defeat.
Notes
- Fresno State now leads its all-time series with Air Force 25-9 (overall) with victories in 16 of the last 20 meetings.
- This was just Air Force's second-ever win over Fresno State at the Save Mart Center.
- Eduardo Andre's career-high five blocks marked the fourth-ever single-game performance by a Bulldog of five or more blocks in a MW contest.
- Eduardo Andre's career-high 15 rebounds marked the first time this season a Bulldog has recorded 15 rebounds in a game.
- Fresno State's defense limited Air Force to a 2-for-18 mark from the field to open the game and just 31.5 percent from the field (17-for-54) in the contest.
- Fresno State outscored Air Force 34-10 in the paint and the teams combined for just 20 personal fouls.
- Fresno State has now limited 27 of its last 30 opponents in regular season games to fewer than 70 points.
Quotes:
Justin Hutson, Fresno State head coach
On the game…
"I liked how our guys played out there, in the zone. They talked and tried to match up. I like how they came out, ready to go and understanding that they are going to have to play different roles. Especially this big fella (Eduardo Andre) right next to me who keeps getting better and better."
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On missing opportunities…
"Yes, first and second half. It's a trend, it's consistency. In our last game, we missed 10(+) layups and we aren't talking about forced layups over Eduardo Andre. A layup over Eduardo might be tough. Hard to beat a team that way. No excuses, we have to make layups."
On the final sequence…
"The best time to get an open three is in transition. Otherwise you call time out, they switch everything, they foul you, they take you to the line, game's over. We got exactly what we wanted. We got a stop, and a big rebound. That led to Dono (Donavan Yap), who needed to attack that paint and find an open shooter while they are scrambling to find their guys. Instead of having a time out called, drop (in) some special play, they switch it, they foul you. You go to the line, down three and you only get two shots. Now you have to make the first and try to miss the second, then you have to get the rebound, then you have to score again. So, we'll go with the odds of getting into the paint and finding somebody as they are transitioning back, and getting somebody an open three. Anthony needed to run a little faster to get to the wing and Dono needed to make a little better decision."
Eduardo Andre, Fresno State center
On knowing he would be playing a lot of minutes…
"I felt pretty comfortable pretty much the whole game. I knew I was going to have to play long minutes with Isaih (Moore) out. So, the biggest thing I wanted to do was to be able to support my team.Â
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On his shot-blocking and timing…
"I started playing basketball when I was 15 and I played a lot of different sports like track and futbol (soccer). So, I have always had pretty good reactions. So, I know how to read it. Kinda easier for me."
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On his focus for the coming days…
"Watch the film, see what mistakes we made and how to improve, how to fix it and just how to get my team to win. That's the most important thing out here, is to win. See how we can get guys together to win."
Up next
The Bulldogs have a week off before their next game hosting UNLV (12-5, 1-4Â MW) next Saturday (Jan. 21) at 3 p.m. on CBS Sports Network and Bulldog Sports Network.
"Fresno State Athletics - For The V: The Central Valley" – Bulldog student-athletes, coaches, and staff proudly wear the "Green V" to show their pride in representing the Central Valley. Stories of why the Bulldogs play for the "Green V" will be shared throughout the next year with #ForTheV. To become a Bulldog Foundation member or join "The Green V Society," please call 559-278-7160 or visit bulldogfoundation.org.
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