Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

A First Look at Fresno State’s Quarterback Battle

2 days ago

Israeli Columnist Alleges Ethnic Cleansing Plan in Gaza

2 days ago

Tesla to Roll out Bay Area Robotaxis With Safety Drivers, Report Says

2 days ago

Thailand and Cambodia Exchange Heavy Artillery Fire as Border Battle Expands

2 days ago

California Cannot Require Background Checks to Buy Ammunition, US Appeals Court Rules

3 days ago

TikTok Will Go Dark in US Without Chinese Approval of Sale Deal, Lutnick Says

3 days ago

Fresno County Authorities Still Searching for Missing Mother and Infant

3 days ago
Big Crowd, Key Players Back but Bulldogs Fall to No. 7 Aztecs
GV-Wire-1
By gvwire
Published 6 years ago on
January 15, 2020

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.

“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. Sometimes they make you break down.” — Fresno State coach Justin Hutson
In a contest in which they had no 3-point game, the 18-0 Aztecs relied on a suffocating defense to deny the Bulldogs, who played three freshmen in the game.
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.”

Photo of San Diego State players surrounding Fresno State's Noah Blackwell
Fresno State’s Noah Blackwell looks to drive on San Diego State’s Adam Seiko, center right, during the first half. Blackwell scored two points and had three rebounds in his return from a knee injury. (AP Photo/Gary Kazanjian)
It took a 7-0 run in the final 5:32 of the first half to give the Aztecs a 26-21 lead at the break, and a meandering 11-6 run to open the second half for a 37-27 lead. The latter run was punctuated by Flynn’s midcourt steal and layup.

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.)

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

California School Board Resigns After Audit Reveals $180M in Improper Funding

DON'T MISS

NASA Says 20% of Workforce to Depart Space Agency

DON'T MISS

Frustration, Gaza Alarm Drove Macron to Go It Alone on Palestine Recognition

DON'T MISS

Trump Golfs in Scotland as Epstein Questions Persist

DON'T MISS

Visalia Police Arrest Armed Robbery Suspect at Long John Silver’s

DON'T MISS

Grand Rising Brings Sober Day Party Vibes to Fresno

DON'T MISS

Jack McAuliffe, Who Started a Craft Beer Revolution, Dies at 80

DON'T MISS

Fresno Crash Leaves One Dead After Car Submerges in Canal

DON'T MISS

Lemoore Farmers Fed Up With Lack of Representation on Groundwater Agency

DON'T MISS

‘Jenny from the Block’ Rescued After Camping Out by Calwa ATM

UP NEXT

Fresno Crash Leaves One Dead After Car Submerges in Canal

UP NEXT

Lemoore Farmers Fed Up With Lack of Representation on Groundwater Agency

UP NEXT

‘Jenny from the Block’ Rescued After Camping Out by Calwa ATM

UP NEXT

Tulare Officer Injured in Crash While Trying to Save Unresponsive Infant. Child Dies at Hospital

UP NEXT

Fresno Council Candidate Rassamni Says City Is Investigating Him Amid Allegations by Arias

UP NEXT

Fresno First Responders Talk Person Down off Parking Garage Ledge

UP NEXT

Kern County Fire Issues Evacuation Warnings for Pearl Fire Near Lake Isabella

UP NEXT

New Madera Bypass Project Aims to Ease Traffic on Highway 41 Near Tesoro Viejo

UP NEXT

A First Look at Fresno State’s Quarterback Battle

UP NEXT

Fresno Police Arrest Felon in Connection With Drive-by Shooting

Trump Golfs in Scotland as Epstein Questions Persist

22 hours ago

Visalia Police Arrest Armed Robbery Suspect at Long John Silver’s

22 hours ago

Grand Rising Brings Sober Day Party Vibes to Fresno

22 hours ago

Jack McAuliffe, Who Started a Craft Beer Revolution, Dies at 80

22 hours ago

Fresno Crash Leaves One Dead After Car Submerges in Canal

22 hours ago

Lemoore Farmers Fed Up With Lack of Representation on Groundwater Agency

23 hours ago

‘Jenny from the Block’ Rescued After Camping Out by Calwa ATM

23 hours ago

Tulare Officer Injured in Crash While Trying to Save Unresponsive Infant. Child Dies at Hospital

2 days ago

PBS Has a Future by Leaving the Past Behind: Opinion

2 days ago

Fresno Council Candidate Rassamni Says City Is Investigating Him Amid Allegations by Arias

2 days ago

California School Board Resigns After Audit Reveals $180M in Improper Funding

The entire board of directors overseeing Highlands Community Charter and Technical Schools in Sacramento has either resigned or been removed...

19 hours ago

The entire board of Highlands Community Charter in Sacramento stepped down after a state audit found the school improperly received over $180 million and engaged in questionable spending. (Shutter
19 hours ago

California School Board Resigns After Audit Reveals $180M in Improper Funding

The NASA logo is seen at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, U.S., April 16, 2021. (Reuters File)
22 hours ago

NASA Says 20% of Workforce to Depart Space Agency

Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and French President Emmanuel Macron visit a ward for Palestinian patients at El Arish Hospital, close to the border with the Gaza Strip, in Arish, Egypt April 8, 2025. Ludovic Marin/Pool via REUTERS
22 hours ago

Frustration, Gaza Alarm Drove Macron to Go It Alone on Palestine Recognition

U.S. President Donald Trump golfs at Trump Turnberry resort in Turnberry, Scotland, Britain, July 26, 2025. (Reuters/Phil Noble)
22 hours ago

Trump Golfs in Scotland as Epstein Questions Persist

Noah Robinson, 38, was arrested after allegedly robbing a Visalia Long John Silver’s at knifepoint and attempting to flee through nearby backyards with $110 in stolen cash on Friday, July 25, 2025. (Visalia PD)
22 hours ago

Visalia Police Arrest Armed Robbery Suspect at Long John Silver’s

22 hours ago

Grand Rising Brings Sober Day Party Vibes to Fresno

Craft Brewer Jack McAuliffe With Jim Koch of Samuel Adams
22 hours ago

Jack McAuliffe, Who Started a Craft Beer Revolution, Dies at 80

fresno
22 hours ago

Fresno Crash Leaves One Dead After Car Submerges in Canal

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend