Fresno State Athletics
Tuesday, November 18
Fresno, CA
6 p.m. PT
Fresno State
4-2,0-0Mountain West
80
vs
78
Stephen F. Austin
4-1,0-0Southland
1
2
F
SFA
42
36
78
Fresno St.
39
41
80
Team Stats
SFA
Fresno
FG%
.452
.593
3FG%
.310
.417
FT%
.500
.579
RB
38
32
TO
12
13
STL
8
10
Game Leaders
Pts
20
FGM
8
3FGM
2
FTM
2
Pts
18
FGM
8
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
11
FGM
4
3FGM
1
FTM
2
Pts
10
FGM
4
3FGM
1
FTM
1
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's Basketball
G/F
/ Men's Basketball
'Dogs outlast Lumberjacks, 80-78
11/18/2025 11:02:00 PM | Men's Basketball
FRESNO, Calif. – Fresno State earned a gritty home victory on Tuesday night, edging previously undefeated Stephen F. Austin 80–78 inside the Save Mart Center.
The Bulldogs advance to 4-2 on the season, going into their final game of their opening seven-game homestand.
HOW IT HAPPENED
From the opening tip, the game took on the feel of a heavyweight back-and-forth, with neither team able to create more than a few points of breathing room. Fresno State struck first with a quick offensive burst behind Zaon Collins, who scored on a pair of transition layups to spark early energy in the building. Cameron Faas added an early three, and the Bulldogs looked comfortable pushing the pace.
SFA countered with physical interior play and strong offensive rebounding, keeping possessions alive and answering every Fresno basket. The Lumberjacks' Lateef Patrick Jr. caught fire throughout the half, scoring at all three levels and repeatedly hitting tough shots to halt Bulldog momentum. Despite the pressure, Fresno State continued to score efficiently, attacking the paint for 24 first-half points and getting timely production from Deshawn Gory, including a three-pointer and a rim-rocking dunk that tied the game at 35.
In the final minute of the half, SFA capitalized on a pair of second-chance opportunities and a late jumper to edge ahead 42–39 at the break, despite Fresno State shooting a blistering 68% from the field in the opening period.
Fresno State wasted no time flipping the script. Stickman became a catalyst during this stretch, grabbing defensive boards, converting a layup through traffic, and energizing the group defensively. Collins continued to control the pace, threading passes into tight windows and getting downhill for midrange jumpers.
The turning point came midway through the half during a fast-paced sequence: Gory finished a strong drive at the rim, drawing contact, then knocked down free throws on the next possession. That stretch helped Fresno State briefly regain the lead and reestablish its tempo.
Still, SFA refused to go away, knocking down multiple threes, keeping the Lumberjacks within striking distance. The Bulldogs' response came on the defensive end. Fresno State forced eight second-half turnovers, turning them into 14 points, including a critical steal-and-score stretch where Collins and Stickman both jumped passing lanes.
In the final minute, the Bulldogs clung to a narrow lead and delivered the stops they needed. helped manage the clock as Fresno State closed the game at the line and held SFA without a go-ahead basket in the final possessions.
A 41-point second half secured the 80–78 victory and a resilient performance at home.
NOTES
UP NEXT
The Bulldogs host New Orleans in the Save Mart Center at 6 p.m. on Friday.
The Bulldogs advance to 4-2 on the season, going into their final game of their opening seven-game homestand.
HOW IT HAPPENED
From the opening tip, the game took on the feel of a heavyweight back-and-forth, with neither team able to create more than a few points of breathing room. Fresno State struck first with a quick offensive burst behind Zaon Collins, who scored on a pair of transition layups to spark early energy in the building. Cameron Faas added an early three, and the Bulldogs looked comfortable pushing the pace.
SFA countered with physical interior play and strong offensive rebounding, keeping possessions alive and answering every Fresno basket. The Lumberjacks' Lateef Patrick Jr. caught fire throughout the half, scoring at all three levels and repeatedly hitting tough shots to halt Bulldog momentum. Despite the pressure, Fresno State continued to score efficiently, attacking the paint for 24 first-half points and getting timely production from Deshawn Gory, including a three-pointer and a rim-rocking dunk that tied the game at 35.
In the final minute of the half, SFA capitalized on a pair of second-chance opportunities and a late jumper to edge ahead 42–39 at the break, despite Fresno State shooting a blistering 68% from the field in the opening period.
Fresno State wasted no time flipping the script. Stickman became a catalyst during this stretch, grabbing defensive boards, converting a layup through traffic, and energizing the group defensively. Collins continued to control the pace, threading passes into tight windows and getting downhill for midrange jumpers.
The turning point came midway through the half during a fast-paced sequence: Gory finished a strong drive at the rim, drawing contact, then knocked down free throws on the next possession. That stretch helped Fresno State briefly regain the lead and reestablish its tempo.
Still, SFA refused to go away, knocking down multiple threes, keeping the Lumberjacks within striking distance. The Bulldogs' response came on the defensive end. Fresno State forced eight second-half turnovers, turning them into 14 points, including a critical steal-and-score stretch where Collins and Stickman both jumped passing lanes.
In the final minute, the Bulldogs clung to a narrow lead and delivered the stops they needed. helped manage the clock as Fresno State closed the game at the line and held SFA without a go-ahead basket in the final possessions.
A 41-point second half secured the 80–78 victory and a resilient performance at home.
NOTES
- Bulldogs shot 59%, their most efficient game of the season.
- Fresno State had 10 different players score.
- Gory recorded his third 20-point game of the year.
- Stickman tied a season high with 8 rebounds.
- Collins has now recorded 5+ assists in five straight games.
- Five Bulldogs scored in double digits tonight, the most of the season.
- Collins has led the Bulldogs in assists in every game so far this season.
UP NEXT
The Bulldogs host New Orleans in the Save Mart Center at 6 p.m. on Friday.
Return to Selland: Press Conference
Friday, October 17
MBB: Highlight vs. San Diego [12/14/24]
Tuesday, December 17
MBB Media Availability [12/3]
Tuesday, December 03
MBB: Highlight vs. Prairie View A&M [11/20/24]
Thursday, November 21