Share
The stage was set for Fresno State to hand the seventh-ranked San Diego State men’s basketball team its first loss of the season Tuesday.
Senior point guard Noah Blackwell returned from a long layoff caused by a knee injury. And senior forward Nate Grimes was back in the starting lineup after nursing a wrist injury.
But, once again, the Bulldogs challenged a more experienced opponent, only to end up on the losing end, 64-55, before a crowd of 6,773 at the Save Mart Center.
San Diego State (7-0 Mountain West Conference) remains one of two unbeaten teams in Division 1, along with Auburn. The Aztecs extended two nation-leading streaks: 18 consecutive victories, and nine straight road or neutral-site wins.
“I was leaving the hotel (earlier) and saw Clemson beat Duke on the road,” Aztecs coach Brian Dutcher said. “I told these guys, ‘Everyone knows you’re ranked and they bring their best effort. Enjoy every one of them. What you’re doing is not easy. Winning on the road is the hardest thing in basketball. Your perfect record on the road is unheard of.”
Aztecs Star Praises Bulldogs Defense
San Diego State hasn’t been 18-0 since the 2013-14 team advanced to the Sweet 16. The Aztecs experienced just their fifth victory by single digits, due in part to an offense that missed 15 of 18 3-point attempts and had no offensive rebounds in the first 30 minutes.
“Both teams did a good job on defense,” said guard Malachi Flynn, who led all scorers with 20 points. “They did a really good job of making us make shots.”
Robinson Leads Bulldogs With 18 Points
A 10-point lead qualified as a blowout, the way the Aztecs play defense. Fresno State (5-12, 1-5) shot 28.6% in the first half, and 36.4% overall.
“I thought we played hard and we played pretty good defense. There were a few breakdowns, but when you’re playing a team of that caliber there are going to be some breakdowns,” said Fresno State coach Justin Hutson. “Sometimes they make you break down.”
Freshman forward Orlando Robinson again led the Bulldogs, this time with 18 points, while Blackwell and Grimes combined for just six points.
Up Next: Bulldogs Play at Wyoming
The loss dropped the Bulldogs to 1-5 in conference play for the first time since 2013. They play at Wyoming, which is winless in the Mountain West, on Saturday
The crowd was the second-biggest of the season at the Save Mart Center, trailing only the “Paul George Day” attendance of 8,529 against Winthrop.
“We have a great fan base and they came out tonight and they supported us and we appreciate the Red Wave,” said senior guard New Williams, who scored 15 points.
(Associated Press contributed to this report.)
Ricardo Lara Deserves Credit for Trying to Solve California’s Home Insurance Crisis
3 hours ago
Mark Gardner on Giants’ 2014 World Series Title, Why Fresno Turns Out Great Players
3 hours ago
What the Republican Party Might Look Like if Trump Loses
4 hours ago
Vikings QB McCarthy Needs Surgery on Meniscus Tear in Right Knee
4 hours ago
Japan’s Prime Minister Prepares to Step Down. Why, and What’s Next?
5 hours ago
Michigan’s Sherrone Moore Looks Forward to Release of Text Messages in Sign-Stealing Investigation
5 hours ago
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/14125622/Apartments-damaged-by-falling-missile-debris-injury-several-people-in-Kursk-Russia-on-Tuesday-Aug.-13-2024.-Ukraine-pressed-ahead-with-its-assault-inside-Russian-territory-on-Tuesday-a-week-1024x538.jpg)
Ukraine’s Surprise Attack Has Forced Russia to Change Plans
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/14092611/020924_FAST_FOOD_UNION_JAH_CM_00739.jpg-1024x576.jpg)
Californians Will Vote on $18 Minimum Wage. Workers Want $25 and More.
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/14101619/041024-Ricardo-Lara-TS-CM-18.jpg-1024x576.jpg)
Ricardo Lara Deserves Credit for Trying to Solve California’s Home Insurance Crisis
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/13163938/shutterstock_31288807-1024x576.jpg)
Mark Gardner on Giants’ 2014 World Series Title, Why Fresno Turns Out Great Players
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/14103434/Former-President-Donald-Trump-raises-his-fists-at-a-campaign-rally-in-Harrisburg-Pa.-on-July-31-2024.-It-is-rare-in-American-political-history-for-a-single-figure-to-dominate-a-party-as-thoroug-1024x538.jpg)