The Fresno State men’s basketball team enters Saturday’s Mountain West Conference matchup against Colorado State at the Save Mart Center with a 1-4 conference record.
With the exception of New Mexico (a 72-45 road loss) its conference losses this season have been close.
The Bulldogs’ other three conference losses have been by margins of seven points or fewer.
Their narrowest defeat came at home against San Diego State (a 65-62 loss on Jan. 9) in a game that Fresno State could have sent into overtime had its last-second 3-pointer made it in the basket.
The Bulldogs’ nonconference losses have been close, for the most part.
The Bulldogs continue conference play on Saturday at home against Colorado State.
Women’s basketball meshing on offense, ‘sustaining effort’
The Fresno State women’s basketball team has gone 5-1 after ringing in the New Year.
The Bulldogs have won five of their last six games, including going 4-1 in the Mountain West Conference.
Their sole loss this month was 78-71 on the road to Wyoming.
Fresno State remains undefeated at home for the season (8-0).
“I don’t feel that we’ve won games lately because we shot the ball well,” coach Raegan Pebley said after the Bulldogs’ 70-57 win at home over Boise State on Wednesday.
“I feel like we’ve won games lately because we’ve been able to sustain some effort. Our team is making great adjustments. They’re playing some pretty good concept basketball offensively and defensively.”
And, judging from its play at home, Fresno State has shown that it meshes well in Pebley’s new offense.
In Mountain West Conference play, at least three Bulldogs have scored in double-digits and in four games.
Four players have scored in double digits in three of the Bulldogs’ five conference games — with players like Rosie Moult and Bree Farley taking their signature shots from the 3-point line, and guards Taylor Thompson and Ki-Ki Moore getting scores in the lane.
“We love versatility in our scoring,” Pebley said. “Shots and scores in the paint and good, open looks on the perimeter. When you have players like Bree, Rosie and Robin (Draper) and even (Alex) Sheedy at times, that can stretch the defense out to the 3-point line. That will open the paint up. It’s really making defense decide if they’re going to guard the ball or guard the shooter. It’s fun basketball to watch.”