Joseph Edgecomb / Collegian File Photo
Men̢۪s hoops fall to Spartans
After the men̢۪s basketball team̢۪s first conference win of the season over Louisiana Tech Thursday, the Bulldogs were confident heading into the Event Center against San Jose State on Saturday.
Junior forward Sylvester Seay recorded his first career double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds, as the Bulldogs’ second half surge erased a 14-point halftime deficit. The Bulldogs shot 54.5 percent from the field in the second half, while hitting 11 three-pointers. However, it wouldn’t be enough, as the Spartans would complete the season sweep defeating the Bulldogs 85-79.
The ̢۪Dogs failed to win yet another conference game, as the team̢۪s record now stands at 8-12 overall and 1-5 in the WAC.
Four Bulldogs scored in double figures for the second straight game. Senior guard Dwight O̢۪Neil netted 21 points and four assists, while freshman guard Paul George tallied 20 points of his own along with a career-high six assists.
Bryan Cole / Collegian File Photo
Seay tied a career high with four blocks to go with his 17 points and 12 rebounds, and sophomore Ned Golubovic added 11 points on the night.
The ̢۪Dogs started the second half down 43-29, but with back-to-back 3-pointers from Golubovic and George, the Bulldogs would cut the Spartans lead to 43-35.
Minutes later, freshman Bryce Cartwright would drain another three-pointer to get the Bulldogs within five.
After a defensive stop, Seay would hit the Bulldog̢۪s fifth three-pointer in less than five minutes to put the pressure back on the Spartans.
The Bulldogs erased the deficit completely when O̢۪Neil hit a tough 12-footer in traffic to even the game at 57-57. However, the Spartans would respond by recording a quick 8-1 run. Down seven points, with seven minutes left, the ̢۪Dogs wouldn̢۪t go easily.
George continued to stay hot from beyond the arc as he dropped in a pair to cut the San Jose State lead to four, 70-66.
But, the ̢۪Dogs fell down by 10 points as the Spartans hit clutch-free throws and timely shots down the stretch.
The Bulldogs recorded a season-high 12 three-pointers on the night, but the defense was the weak point.
The ̢۪Dogs now take a break from WAC play for their final non-conference home game of the season as they welcome Houston Baptist to the Save Mart Center on Wednesday night at 7 p.m.
Andrew Riggs / Collegian File Photo
Women̢۪s basketball sails past Hawaii on the island
The women̢۪s basketball team improved to 13-6 overall and 4-2 in the WAC after beating Hawaii at the Stan Sheriff Center, 71-45 Friday night. Junior guard Ashley Walker came off the bench and sparked the Bulldogs by scoring a career-high 17 points and five rebounds.
The Bulldogs got off to a hot start in the first half behind the shooting of Jaleesa Ross and Marnique Arnold. Ross scored 12 of her 15 points in the first half, while Arnold had eight points and six rebounds. Hawaii only managed to stay in the game through the first 10 minutes. At that point the Rainbow Wahine held a 14-13 lead. However, the final 30 minutes belonged to the Bulldogs. The ̢۪Dogs finished that final 10 minutes of the first half with a 27-6 run to lead 40-20 at the break.
After returning from halftime, the Rainbow Wahine were not able to get any closer than 16 points in the second half, and the final score was the largest lead of the game.
While many players were active and played well, it was the play of Hayley Munro that stood out Friday night. Munro had a complete all-around game, but came up just shy of a triple-double as she had 14 points, eight rebounds and a career-high nine assists. As a team, the Bulldogs had 20 assists.
Joseph Edgecomb / Collegian File Photo
Fresno State dominated every aspect of the game against the Rainbow Wahine. The Bulldogs shot 40 percent from the field, while the Rainbow Wahine shot 38 percent.
The ’Dogs were also able to control the boards out-rebounding Hawaii 36-33. Arnold and Taja Edwards each had seven of their own. However, it was the Bulldogs’ defense that determined the game, forcing 27 turnovers compared to the Bulldogs’ 14.
The next game for the Bulldogs will be against rival San Jose State at the Save Mart Center on Friday at 7 p.m.