The Fresno State men’s basketball team (8-9) secured their second conference win in a 79-69 victory over Colorado State University (11-6) at the Save Mart Center on Jan. 13.
The Bulldogs shot well above their season average from three-point range (31.5%), going 8-20 (40%) in the win, which was sparked by guard Jake Heidbreder and David Douglas Jr.—who earned his first start of the season.
“I expected [Douglas Jr.] to start from the beginning of the year, but his knee injury put him behind—little-by-little, he’s been getting back to it.” Head Coach Vance Walberg said. “I would have loved to leave him in, but you could see him just huffing and puffing down the court.”
Despite the Rams inching closer in the final minutes, Walberg was pleased with the late game performance.
“As long as the ball gets to [Heidbreder] and he gets fouled, I’m very happy with the execution,” Wahlberg said.
Key players
Jake Heidbreder (FS): 21 points, 2 steals.
Deshawn Gory (FS): 14 points, 9 rebounds, 2 steals.
Brandon Rechsteiner (CSU): 18 points, 2 steals.
Carey Booth (CSU): 15 points, 9 rebounds, 1 block.
What happened
Both teams opened the game hot on offense, trading buckets. Douglas Jr. started things off for the Bulldogs, draining his first three-point shot attempt of the game, which ignited the ‘Dogs’ offense as five different players contributed to the scoring column.
However, guard Brandon Rechsteiner kept the Rams within reach scoring 10 of the Ram’s 12 points to chip at the early 18-12 Bulldog lead.
To close out the half, the Rams struggled to find scoring elsewhere, as the Bulldogs began to pile on to their early lead. With well-balanced scoring, seven different Bulldogs added to the total score. With guard Jake Heidbreder leading the way (nine points), and Douglas Jr. trailing him (8 points), the Bulldogs enjoyed a 36-22 lead at halftime.
After one half of basketball, the Bulldogs—who rank number one in opponent three-point percentage—held the Rams to 2-13 (11.1%) from beyond-the-arch, which is no easy feat as the Rams are one of the premier three-point shooting teams in the conference (41% from three-point range, first in the Mountain West).
To open the second half, the Rams found their groove from three-point range to trim the 41-37 Bulldog lead, but forward Jac Mani offered some scoring relief—which Walberg valued.
“[Mani] is a very good offensive player, he knows I’ve been on his tail. If he becomes a better defensive player. He’s going to play a lot more,” Walberg said. “He gives us a weapon that helps when you can stretch somebody out.”
After the Rams tied the game 41-41 with a 19-3 run, the Bulldogs responded with a 7-2 run of their own sparked by the play of Mani, who scored 6 of the ‘Dogs’ 12 second half points to give them the 48-43 cushion.
Following the run, the Bulldogs continued to ride the wave on offense, generated by the steady scoring contributions from their rotation players. But, the Rams returned to their in-season form, draining shots from the three-point line to inch closer to the Bulldogs’ 63-55 lead with three minutes remaining.
To close out the game, the Bulldogs’ late game execution was textbook, as they took care of the ball and drained their free-throws en route to the 79-69 win.
What’s next
The Bulldogs welcome Wyoming State University (11-5)—who rank second in the Mountain West in scoring (84 points per game)—at the Save Mart Center on Saturday, Jan. 17 at 4 p.m.
Story and cover photo via Vincent Ordonio (FSM).