After struggling on the road for the past three games, the Fresno State men’s basketball team pulled off a home win at the Save Mart Center against Idaho State University on Dec. 5.
Many of the players contributed to the 79-67 win, but Bulldog freshman Isaac Taveras stood out in the pack as the second score leader.
“Isaac, not only did he bring in energy but he made shots,” said Head Coach Justin Hutson at the post game press conference. “You see us go in there and getting angles, and getting to a good shot, and Isaac’s ball goes in.”
Taveras picked up 13 points, went a perfect 5-for-5 from the field and 3-for-5 from the free throw line. He said that he put in the work in practice to get more minutes this game.
“I came to practice and did what I was supposed to do because I’m trying to help my brothers,” Taveras said.
The ‘Dogs won the jump ball and right away went into a slam dunk by Enoch Boakye. The momentum would shortly switch over to the Bengals side as they went on a 9-point run and only allowed the ‘Dogs to score 2 points, making the score 9-4.
At the 14-minute mark, Idaho State point guard Miguel Tomley got the ball from a Fresno State turnover and shot from behind the arc to extend its lead 17-8.
Bulldog Jalen Weaver was then fouled by Bengal Aj Burgin on his way up to the basket, making the point and taking him to the line. He made the free throw completing the 3-point play and cutting the deficit, 21-13.
Fresno State added onto their side of the board and cut the Idaho State lead to only 1-point with a little over five minutes left in the first half, 28-27.
The Bulldogs and Bengals were both very physical up to this point of the game, causing them to go into bonus and allowing for more Fresno State points and going on a run.
Ending the first half, Bulldog Leo Colimerio scored a second-chance hook shot, finishing the half at 42-35.
The Bulldogs built off of the ending momentum into the second half and were able to keep the lead. This allowed the crowd inside of the Save Mart Center to erupt in a frenzy.
Colimerio made a dunk, and Taveras followed it up with a fastbreak layup off of a turnover to extend the lead 53-42.
Idaho State then added 4 points to which Fresno State responded to by adding four of its own. Another free throw and 2-pointer by Bengal Kiree Huie gave the score of 57-49; Bulldogs still in the lead.
There would be a scoring drought for over a minute but the Bulldogs answered with a 7 point run. Taveras scored five of those points while Boakye scored an alley oop dunk with help from Eduardo Andre, 64-49.
At the post game press conference, Andre was asked if he liked being the creator of a dunk by throwing the lob or dunking himself.
“I say being the creator [of the lob] because you can like get to watch it in real time, especially when they dunk on somebody,” Andre said.
Fresno State extended the lead by 12 points, 72-60, with three minutes left in the game.
The last few minutes were much like the beginning of the game as both teams went back-and-forth on the court. Fouls in the bonus allowed the teams to add last minute points.
The Bulldogs were ultimately able to pull off a 79-67 win.
Fresno State will stay home again for their next game against the University of the Pacific on Saturday, Dec. 9. Tip off is at 4 p.m.
