Bulldogs downed by Aggies on Friday night

FRESNO, Calif. – Fresno State allowed a season-high 61.7% shooting from the field, and a turnover-plagued first half, resulted in an 89-81 defeat to Utah State on Friday night at the Save Mart Center. Following 50 points in the first half for the visitors, the Bulldogs responded with 50 of their own in the second.

Jalen Weaver led the 'Dogs with 20 points, the senior's third 20-point game in his last four outings. The Aggies countered though with a game-high 30 points from Ian Martinez.

USU outscored the Bulldogs 21-12 in points off turnovers and 24-7 in second chance points. The Aggies were also plus-13 on the glass.

How It Happened
Tied at six two-and-a-half minutes into the game, Utah State built up a 19-6 advantage in three minutes through a 13-0 run. Brian Amuneke ended the drought for Fresno State with a triple from the right corner. That started a 7-2 stretch for the Bulldogs as they pulled back within eight at 21-13.

Fresno State though committed seven turnovers during the remaining 11 minutes and Utah State cashed them in for 13 points. The Aggies began attacking the basket holding a 16-point advantage in the paint, and also had an eight-point edge in second-chance points where they had nine offensive rebounds, equaling the Bulldogs' total for the half.

The 'Dogs went into the locker room trailing 50-31, their largest halftime deficit of the season.

Utah State quickly pushed its lead above 20 in the second half but the 'Dogs continued to try and chip away.

With under nine minutes remaining on the game and the Bulldogs trailing by 19, the they turned up the pressure. It resulted in a 7-0 run. Alex Crawford's third triple of the half forced Utah State to burn a timeout with its lead down to 12 at 72-60. Ian Martinez scored out of the stoppage, but Jalen Weaver came back with another 3-pointer.

Martinez answered though with five points in a 7-0 spurt. An and-1 by the Aggie was followed by a steal and coast-to-coast dunk to push his team's lead back up to 18. Zaon Collins scored eight of the next 10 points for the 'Dogs in a 10-4 stretch.

After the Aggies split a pair at the line on back-to-back possessions, the Bulldogs cut their deficit to single digits with just under a minute remaining. But time would run out on the 'Dogs.

Notes

Fresno State scored 50 points in the second half, the fourth time the Bulldogs have scored at least 50 in a half this season.
The last time the 'Dogs scored 50 in a half was Dec. 31 vs. New Mexico.
Fresno State shot 47.3% from the field, its fourth-highest percentage of the season.
Fresno State's 39.1% from 3-point range (9-of-23) was its highest since going 7-of-14 on Jan. 7 at Colorado State.
Fresno State produced double digit steals for the third time in the last four games, coming up with 12 on Friday, its second-most in a game this year.
Jalen Weaver posted his third 20-point game in his last four, scoring 20 points.
Weaver also led the 'Dogs on the glass with six, and had a game-high four steals.
Alex Crawford returned to double figures scoring 15 points.
The junior matched his season high from 3-point range, knocking down 3-of-4 from deep.

Up Next
Fresno State continues its stretch of four games in 10 days with a trip to Reno, Nevada on Monday night. Tipoff against the Wolf Pack at Lawlor Events Center is set for 8 p.m. PT and will air on FS1.

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Team Stats

Jalen Weaver

Alex Crawford

Elijah Price

Zaon Collins

Players Mentioned

Brian Amuneke

Zaon Collins

Alex Crawford

Jalen Weaver