Fresno State men’s basketball loses in final seconds once again

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Marcos Acosta/The Collegian

Fresno State’s Jordan Campbell dunks in the second half against Nevada on Feb. 24 at the Save Mart Center.

By Alexis Bruno, Reporter

The Bulldogs have not found an answer to close out games in the final seconds.  

Coming off a final-second loss to Colorado, Fresno State had the Red Wave to its feet again as the game came down to the last possessions against the University of Nevada, Reno on Friday night. 

“It’s just not enough [to defeat] the last three teams that we had in here, one shot at the end of the game covers all the yields so that’s how close this is,” said Bulldog Head Coach Justin Hutson.  

The Fresno State Men’s Basketball team lost its last home conference game against Nevada, 60-56, on Feb. 24 at the Save Mart Center. 

Eduardo Andre wins the jump ball for Fresno State. (Marcos Acosta/The Collegian)

Fresno State won the jump ball, starting off the game with a 3 by Isaiah Hill to go up 3-0. The Bulldogs struggled behind the arc in their last game, shooting 2-for-13 . 

However, in this game, the ‘Dogs shot 4-4 at the 3-point line with 14 minutes remaining, taking them up 12-8.  

The Wolfpack responded quickly with a 8-0 run to take their first lead of the game, 16-12. 

The ‘Dogs matched the momentum, going on a 8-0 run of their own, to take back the lead 26-20, with nine-minutes remaining in the first half. 

Jemarl Baker Jr. puts up a layup through contact. (Marcos Acosta/The Collegian)

After the Wolfpack striked offensively, a big dunk by Bulldog center Eduardo Andre tied the game up, 24-24, at the six-minute mark. 

A 3-point field goal took the Wolfpack up by 3 late in the first half, but the ‘Dogs were able to shorten the margin, 29-28. 

Nevada went on a 5-0 run to extend the lead, but Fresno State made a second-chance layup in the final possession of half.

The Wolfpack still led 34-30 at half. 

After being down by 4, the Bulldogs started off the second half aggressive in the paint with a 6-0 run to take the lead, 36-34. 

With 16 minutes remaining, the ‘Dogs continued to find success behind the arc with a connection by Jemarl Baker Jr. to keep the advantage.

“I go out every game to win and do anything I can to make an impact,” Baker Jr. said.

The Bulldogs went scoreless for about three minutes, but a Nevada foul took the ‘Dogs to the line. Anthony Holland went 2-for-2, extending their lead 43-38, with just under 12 minutes remaining. 

The Wolfpack’s offense bounced back with a 17-3 run to take a 9-point lead, 55-46, at the six-minute mark.

Donavan Yap shoots from the 3-point line. (Marcos Acosta/The Collegian)

Although the ‘Dogs significantly trailed, they kept poised on the court with a 3-point jumper and two back-to-back dunks, shifting the momentum late in the half. The Bulldogs trailed57-56 with 3:28 remaining. 

In a one possession game, the Red Wave got to its feet as the Bulldogs only had one last chance offensively, but failed to score, leaving them to foul the Wolfpack. Nevada shot 2-for-2 from the line, securing the win and defeating Fresno State with a score of 60-56. 

The Bulldogs are now 6-11 in the Mountain West Conference play. They will travel to face off New Mexico on Feb. 28 at The Pit Arena.