5,657 fans came into the Save Mart Center Friday night, Nov. 8, as the Fresno State men’s basketball team defeated Sacramento State 64-57 in its season opener, delivering Head Coach Vance Walberg his first win with the Bulldogs.
“There’s a big smile on my face. Which is, which is awesome,” Walberg said. “I always tell the guys, enjoy it tonight, and then tomorrow’s the next game.
Bulldog guard Amar Augillard led the way with 30-points including four shots behind the arc.
“Amar will drive you crazy. He’s one of those guys that at times you go, what are you doing? But the thing I love about him, he’s got that attitude. He wants to score, he wants to put the ball in the hole, and we need it. And he had some big shots,” Walberg said postgame.
Augillard supplied those 30 points on 19 shots, despite playing less than 22 minutes. Augillard said that the shots came simply from having opportunities.
“I was a decoy. So, it really wasn’t designed for me at all. I was just sitting there,” Augillard said.
Point guard Zaon Collins scored 11-points on 4-of-12 shooting. He also had seven rebounds, four assists, three steals and a block in an all-around effort.
One of several transfers on the team, Collins, reflected after the game saying that he was “blessed to be here.”
“Coach Walberg gave me the opportunity so playing here and being here together brings a smile to my face. Everyday honestly, just to get out to practice with my brothers but especially tonight, it really made me happy,” Collins said.
How it happened
The Bulldogs were neck-and-neck early on, leading 17-13 with 9:14 remaining in the first half following a three from Collins.
The Hornets proceeded to go on a 15-3 run in a three-and-a-half-minute span. Sacramento State held that lead going into half at 37-30.
Fresno State made just nine of 28 shots in the first half (32.1%), including 4-13 from beyond the arc.
The second half was a different story.
With the Bulldogs trailing 41-34 with 16:26 remaining in the period, Augillard came off the bench to lead the ‘Dogs on a 15-4 run, scoring 10 points in a matter of a few minutes.
The Hornets hung around though. Sacramento State forward Jacob Holt hit a turnaround jumper with 3:13 left to make it a one-point game, trailing 58-57. But that was their last bucket of the game.
Fresno State forward Elijah Price drove in for a hard layup with 1:37 left to make it 60-57 and forced the Hornets to call a timeout.
The Bulldogs forced a missed three out of the break from Sacramento State and doubled down with a three on the other end by a dagger from Aguillard as he acknowledged the crowd.
Augillard’s family was in attendance as well, to witness his Bulldog debut.
“My family works hard, so they really don’t really make it to a lot of my games, but them just being here, like me playing on the biggest stage, that was, like the best one ever,” Augillard said.
Augillard outscored the Hornets 22-20 in the second half.
Fresno State made just 24-of-61 shots from the field and 8-of-30 from three on the night. They did however grab 14 offensive rebounds, giving them plenty of second chance opportunities.
“We didn’t shoot the ball the way I wanted to shoot it, but I thought we played hard. I thought we did a lot of good things out there,” Walberg said. “The best drug around is winning.”
Walberg was encouraged by the lively atmosphere on hand.
“I thought the fans got in and really helped us,” Walberg said. “I think that people are going to enjoy the way we play the game. I think it’s a fun style.”
What’s next
The Bulldogs travel to Santa Barbara this Wednesday, Nov. 13, to take on the Gauchos, tip-off begins at 7 p.m. Fresno State will return to the Save Mart Center the following Wednesday, on Nov. 20, when they host Prairie View A&M.
