Fresno State Athletics
Saturday, February 22
USAF Academy, CO
12 P.M. PT
Fresno State
5-23,1-16Mountain West
69
at
72
Air Force
4-23,1-15Mountain West
1
2
OT 1
F
Fresno St.
32
29
8
69
Air Force
31
30
11
72
Team Stats
Fresno
USAFA
FG%
.482
.397
3FG%
.286
.375
FT%
.688
.636
RB
38
30
TO
12
10
STL
5
9
Game Leaders
Pts
18
FGM
6
3FGM
3
FTM
3
Pts
15
FGM
6
3FGM
1
FTM
2
Pts
14
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Pts
14
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's Basketball
'Dogs falter at Air Force in overtime
2/22/2025 9:56:00 PM | Men's Basketball
USAF ACADEMY, Colo. – With seven available players and competing at more than 7,000 feet, Fresno State not only played 40 minutes, but saw an extra five in a 72-69 defeat to Air Force on Saturday at Clune Arena. The Bulldogs were outscored 9-2 during the final two minutes of overtime.
Fresno State saw all 69 of its points come from its starters. Making just their second starts of the season, Brian Amuneke and Jasir Tremble finished with 18 and 15 points apiece. Air Force got a game-high 21 points from Will Cooper off the bench, who hit six (6-of-12) of the Falcons' 15 3-pointers.
The 'Dogs worked the ball inside to the tune of a 24-point advantage in the paint (44-20) while the Falcons had a 33-point advantage from outside (45-12).
How It Happened
Following Air Force's second 3-pointer to go up 8-0, Fresno State called its first timeout with five minutes gone. The Bulldogs began the game 0-of-5 from the field before Brian Amuneke sank a contested 3-pointer on the right wing out of the stoppage.
Fresno State pulled the deficit back to three before a pair of 3-pointers from Will Cooper.
Nearly three minutes without a bucket, Jasir Tremble split a pair of defenders to get to the cup. The starting point guard then came up with a steal in the backcourt that led to a short jumper from Alex Crawford.
That Crawford bucket started a string of seven made shots for the 'Dogs as they pulled to within one at 23-22. Tremble ended the stretch with a steal and a one-handed flush on a breakaway.
But during the stretch, Air Force continued to live on the 3-ball, knocking down three more to maintain their slim lead.
Following a 3-pointer from Luke Kearney, the 'Dogs scored seven unanswered. A 3-pointer from Amuneke was followed by Elijah Price blowing by his man on the baseline to give Fresno State its first lead of the game with 2:17 left in the half.
Despite Air Force shooting 9-of-20 from deep in the opening 20 minutes, the Bulldogs took a 32-31 lead after shooting 12-of-14 from the field.
For more than 10 minutes of the second half, no team led by more than two points until Amuneke dropped in his third triple of the afternoon. But a foul on a 3-point attempt at the other end brought it back to one. The Falcons regained the lead with a steal and layup on the break. The two sides traded buckets heading into the under-eight media timeout with Air Force leading 50-49 with 6:43 on the clock.
With just over four minutes to go, Tremble began to will the Bulldogs back. A trey from the top of the key got them back within three. And then just over a minute later, the junior maneuvered his way into the lane and rattled in a fadeaway jumper to bring the 'Dogs within one at 58-57. Air Force followed by calling a timeout with 2:41 on the clock.
But out of the break, Cooper dropped in a corner 3 that glanced off the backboard. Amuneke quickly pulled Fresno State back within two.
Following a pair of missed attempts at both ends, the Falcons had the ball back within under a minute left on the clock. Kearney had a chance to extend their lead with a bucket inside but Crawford came up with a block from behind. The junior grabbed the rebound, went coast-to-coast and forced a foul with 51.0 seconds on the clock. He sank both free throws to level the game.
With the shot clock ticking down, Air Force drew a foul with 23 seconds on the clock to extend their possession for the final shot. Tremble got a contest on Mills' attempt from 3, forcing it off the mark.
A minute into overtime, Fresno State took its largest lead since 9:22 in the second half (4). Price recorded his eighth double-double of the year pulling down an offensive rebound and finishing off the play with a two-handed contested dunk. After a stop on the defensive end, Amuneke got a head of steam and double clutched a layup, converting it off the glass.
But the Falcons had answers, scoring on their next two possessions. Following a timeout by Fresno State with 1:10 on the clock, Crawford forced his way inside to give the 'Dogs the lead. Kearney, though, answered again from the corner.
Looking to regain the lead, Price had the ball blocked off his hand and out of bounds. Leading by one, Air Force struggled to get the ball inbounded with 17 seconds remaining. The Bulldogs forced the Falcons to burn a timeout before seeing a loose ball turn into a jump ball on their second attempt. On their third attempt, Mills went deep to Ethan Taylor over the top as the senior peeled off beyond half court for an uncontested layup.
Tremble got a look from 3 for the tie but it was off the mark.
Notes
Up Next
Fresno State will be off until March 1 when the Bulldogs host Boise State at the Save Mart Center. The game will be part of a doubleheader with the women who will face New Mexico. Tipoff for the women's game is set for 1 p.m. PT with the men following at 4 p.m.
Fresno State saw all 69 of its points come from its starters. Making just their second starts of the season, Brian Amuneke and Jasir Tremble finished with 18 and 15 points apiece. Air Force got a game-high 21 points from Will Cooper off the bench, who hit six (6-of-12) of the Falcons' 15 3-pointers.
The 'Dogs worked the ball inside to the tune of a 24-point advantage in the paint (44-20) while the Falcons had a 33-point advantage from outside (45-12).
How It Happened
Following Air Force's second 3-pointer to go up 8-0, Fresno State called its first timeout with five minutes gone. The Bulldogs began the game 0-of-5 from the field before Brian Amuneke sank a contested 3-pointer on the right wing out of the stoppage.
Fresno State pulled the deficit back to three before a pair of 3-pointers from Will Cooper.
Nearly three minutes without a bucket, Jasir Tremble split a pair of defenders to get to the cup. The starting point guard then came up with a steal in the backcourt that led to a short jumper from Alex Crawford.
That Crawford bucket started a string of seven made shots for the 'Dogs as they pulled to within one at 23-22. Tremble ended the stretch with a steal and a one-handed flush on a breakaway.
But during the stretch, Air Force continued to live on the 3-ball, knocking down three more to maintain their slim lead.
Following a 3-pointer from Luke Kearney, the 'Dogs scored seven unanswered. A 3-pointer from Amuneke was followed by Elijah Price blowing by his man on the baseline to give Fresno State its first lead of the game with 2:17 left in the half.
Despite Air Force shooting 9-of-20 from deep in the opening 20 minutes, the Bulldogs took a 32-31 lead after shooting 12-of-14 from the field.
For more than 10 minutes of the second half, no team led by more than two points until Amuneke dropped in his third triple of the afternoon. But a foul on a 3-point attempt at the other end brought it back to one. The Falcons regained the lead with a steal and layup on the break. The two sides traded buckets heading into the under-eight media timeout with Air Force leading 50-49 with 6:43 on the clock.
With just over four minutes to go, Tremble began to will the Bulldogs back. A trey from the top of the key got them back within three. And then just over a minute later, the junior maneuvered his way into the lane and rattled in a fadeaway jumper to bring the 'Dogs within one at 58-57. Air Force followed by calling a timeout with 2:41 on the clock.
But out of the break, Cooper dropped in a corner 3 that glanced off the backboard. Amuneke quickly pulled Fresno State back within two.
Following a pair of missed attempts at both ends, the Falcons had the ball back within under a minute left on the clock. Kearney had a chance to extend their lead with a bucket inside but Crawford came up with a block from behind. The junior grabbed the rebound, went coast-to-coast and forced a foul with 51.0 seconds on the clock. He sank both free throws to level the game.
With the shot clock ticking down, Air Force drew a foul with 23 seconds on the clock to extend their possession for the final shot. Tremble got a contest on Mills' attempt from 3, forcing it off the mark.
A minute into overtime, Fresno State took its largest lead since 9:22 in the second half (4). Price recorded his eighth double-double of the year pulling down an offensive rebound and finishing off the play with a two-handed contested dunk. After a stop on the defensive end, Amuneke got a head of steam and double clutched a layup, converting it off the glass.
But the Falcons had answers, scoring on their next two possessions. Following a timeout by Fresno State with 1:10 on the clock, Crawford forced his way inside to give the 'Dogs the lead. Kearney, though, answered again from the corner.
Looking to regain the lead, Price had the ball blocked off his hand and out of bounds. Leading by one, Air Force struggled to get the ball inbounded with 17 seconds remaining. The Bulldogs forced the Falcons to burn a timeout before seeing a loose ball turn into a jump ball on their second attempt. On their third attempt, Mills went deep to Ethan Taylor over the top as the senior peeled off beyond half court for an uncontested layup.
Tremble got a look from 3 for the tie but it was off the mark.
Notes
- Four of Fresno State's seven players played for 38 or more minutes with Jasir Tremble playing more than 43 minutes.
- For the first time this season, Fresno State's bench did not score a single point. Its previous low bench production was three points at Colorado State on Jan. 25.
- Fresno State led at the half for just the fifth time this season (2-3).
- Fresno State moved to 0-5 this season in overtime games.
- Fresno State's 48.2% shooting from the field was its fourth-highest percentage of the season.
- In his second career start, Brian Amuneke finished with a team-high 18 points, his seventh game in double figures, and third time leading the 'Dogs this season.
- Alex Crawford recorded his first double-double of the season with 14 points and a career-high 11 rebounds.
- Elijah Price posted his eighth double-double of the year with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
- Fresno State last had multiple players record a double-double in a game on Nov. 20 versus Prairie View A&M.
- Price also led the team with four assists.
- Making his second start of the season, Tremble reached double figures for the fifth time. The junior finished with 15 points and a season-high four steals.
- Tremble also recorded his first-career dunk and block in the game.
Up Next
Fresno State will be off until March 1 when the Bulldogs host Boise State at the Save Mart Center. The game will be part of a doubleheader with the women who will face New Mexico. Tipoff for the women's game is set for 1 p.m. PT with the men following at 4 p.m.
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