The Fresno State men’s basketball team suffered a devastating loss against the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in an 81-80 double overtime game at the Save Mart Center on Wednesday night.
During the game, there were some luminaries in attendance, Fresno native and NBA small forward Quincy Pondexter was sitting courtside and former NFL wide receiver and Fresno State alumnus Bernard Berrian was recognized during the game.
For most of the first half, Fresno State and UNLV’s offense struggled to put points on the board, as the defenses on both teams seemed to steal the show.
The game was back and forth until the last six minutes of the first half. After Fresno State forward Orlando Robinson tied the game at 14 apiece with his two free throws, the Bulldogs found their rhythm.
Guards Noah Blackwell and Mustafa Lawrence would drain two 3-pointers each to spark a 12-0 run, giving the ‘Dogs a 26-14 lead with less than three minutes left in the first half. The Running Rebels were able to answer back with their own 11-2 run to make it a three-point game, 28-25.
With the last 14 seconds of the opening half winding down on the clock, Jared Hyder threw a pass to Robinson who hit a 3-point dagger to end the first half and increase the lead to 31-25 going into the break.
Fresno State was unable to maintain the lead, allowing the Rebels to keep the game very close. Neither team was able to lead the game by more than six points in the second half.
In the final minutes of regular time, the ‘Dogs led 65-60, but a Rebel’s 3-pointer and crucial turnover by the Bulldogs allowed UNLV to tie the game, 65-65, and send it into overtime.
In the overtime periods, the Bulldogs were plagued by missed opportunities at the free throw line, overall shooting and rebounds.
Fresno State had a chance to tie the game in the second overtime period after a three-point shot by Blackwell, which forced a turnover by UNLV with a little over 14 seconds, but the ‘Dogs didn’t convert.
“Those things are tough. You get separation by making foul shots,” head coach Justin Hutson said after the game. “You go down, you work as hard as you can down on the defensive end, you get a miss and they just come over and get it from you. Every message on the timeout was box out and get your guy.”
Fresno State will travel to Utah to face the No. 25 Utah State Aggies on Saturday at 3 p.m. to start a three-game road trip.