Noah Blackwell scored 22 points, Nate Grimes scored 15 points with 14 rebounds, and Fresno State beat Long Beach State 92-71 in a nonconference basketball game Saturday at the Save Mart Center.
The Bulldogs are on a five-game winning streak averaging 79.8 points per game.
Fresno State will next host Cal on Dec. 19 in a primetime midweek match-up at the Save Mart Center.
Playing at home, Cal (3-5) knocked off San Diego State, 89-83, Saturday to end a two-game losing streak.
Hutson Likes Defensive Intensity
“I thought we shared the ball well tonight and I thought our defensive intensity stayed put for the most part. I am proud of the group,” said Bulldogs Coach Justin Hutson.
“(Blackwell) was critical today, he had to play 38 minutes. It was critical that, as a good player, his confidence came back. I told him that his confidence would start on defense. We always had confidence that he would make shots and plays on the offensive end.”
Braxton Huggins also scored 15 points, New Williams, 14 and Aguir Agau, 10 for Fresno State (7-2).
Bryan Alberts led Long Beach State (3-8) with 20 points, Temidayo Yussuf, 17 and Deishuan Booker, 11. Long Beach State has lost five of its last six.
Bulldogs Rule in the Paint
The Bulldogs outscored Long Beach State 44-18 on the interior while scoring 22 points off the 49ers’ 17 turnovers. Fresno State led 42-32 at halftime, went on a 13-4 run to start the second half, and remained in control the rest of the way. Agau’s layup with 13:09 left made it 66-45.
Fresno State has made at least seven 3-pointers in every game this season. The Bulldogs are 20-3 in the last 23 games making at least 10 3-point field goals.
Bulldogs Dominate at Save Mart Center
Fresno State improved to 57-12 overall at home since the start of the 2014-15 season, including a 29-4 record versus non-conference opponents.
