Fresno State men’s basketball started off its season with a 69-56 win over Fresno Pacific University (FPU) in the season opener on Monday night at Save Mart Center.
Bulldog transfer Isaih Moore continued to make his name as a Bulldog, leading the team with a recorded double-double.
The Sunbirds led the game for most of the first half, including pulling out to a 27-12 lead with 7:27 remaining, which forced Fresno State Head Coach Justin Hutson to make some adjustments.
“We weren’t satisfied with how we were playing,” Hutson said.
Fresno State climbed back, going on a 21-5 run to finish the first half, capped off by a layup from senior Isaiah Hill to take a 33-32 lead into halftime.
Hill finished the night with just 5 points, but was scrappy on the defensive end, picking up two steals.
Moore led the ‘Dogs in the first half with 11 points, including two monster dunks. He finished the game with 19 points, 10 rebounds, two blocks and one steal while shooting an efficient 7-for-13 from the field.
Moore transferred to Fresno State this year after spending last season at Southern Miss.
“He’s a smart young man, very talented. I love how he’s becoming a leader,” Hutson said.
Bulldog senior Anthony Holland also had 8 points in the first half including two 3-point field goals. Holland finished with 13 points and two steals while also drawing a pair of charges.
FPU opened the second half on a 12-4 run to capitalize on back-to-back Bulldog turnovers, taking a 44-37 lead on a fast break layup from Isaac Peralta.
But just like the first half, the Bulldogs responded with a 17-2 run of their own, retaking the lead and not looking back.
With injuries up and down the roster, Hutson called on junior guard Donavan Yap to make an impact. Yap did just that, being one of three ‘Dogs to score double-digit points,12, while dishing out five assists.
“I wanted to come out and do what I could to help my teammates win the ballgame,” Yap said.
Yap said his performance during the game resulted from a recent spike in confidence that he attributed to countless hours in the gym and the belief from his coaches.
Fresno Pacific senior Spencer Heimerdinger led the Sunbirds in scoring with 15 points, including four 3-pointers.
Prized freshman recruit Joseph “Jojo” Hunter did not dress on Monday. Hunter is currently dealing with a thumb injury and his timetable is “unknown at this time,” according to Hutson.
The coach also mentioned that surgery is potentially on the table for Hunter, which could put his status for the rest of the season in jeopardy.
Fresno State will hit the road on Friday at 2 p.m. to face the Gauchos of the University of California, Santa Barbara. The Bulldogs will return home next Wednesday to host San Francisco at 7 p.m.
