Point guard Zaon Collins returned to the Fresno State lineup after missing two straight games with an ankle injury. He led the Bulldogs with a career-high of 27 points, four rebounds and four assists.
“He’s a better defensive player than he’s showing right now, but offensively, he knows how to play the game,” said Head Coach Vance Walberg. “He’s always looking to try and get other players involved, which I really like about him.”
Forward Alex Crawford also returned after missing the ‘Dogs game on Saturday at University of California, Long Beach. He had 17 points and four rebounds off the bench.
The duo was efficient, shooting a combined 18-of-27, including 5-of-7 from beyond the arc.
It was not enough; however, the rest of the team shot a combined 9-of-36 from the field as the Bulldogs fell 84-73 to future Pac-12 conference mate, Washington State University (WSU), on Tuesday, Nov. 26, as part of the 2024 Acrisure Series in Palm Desert, California.
The Cougars were led by guard Nate Calmese who had 22 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Forwards Ethan Price (16 points), LeJuan Watts (14 points) and Dane Erikstrup (13 points) scored in double figures as well.
Walberg said he was disappointed in his team’s showing, especially in the second half when the Cougars made 18-of-32 shots.
“Whenever the defense is on the other side of the floor, it seems like we just don’t put as much effort into it,” Walberg said. “I’ve got to find a cure for that.”
What happened
In the opening five minutes, Washington State jumped out to a quick 9-3 lead, following six turnovers from Fresno State. Forward David Douglas Jr. brought the Bulldogs back within three with a triple from the wing. The Cougars countered with a string of layups to give themselves a 15-8 lead with 12:16 left on the clock.
Collins scored the next seven points during a 9-0 run in just two minutes. Center Mor Seck gave the ‘Dogs their first lead of the game off a second-chance tip-in.
The game went back and forth for the majority of the first half. A 3-pointer from Crawford with 3:57 left put the Bulldogs up 30-29 in what would be their final lead of the night.
The Cougars went into halftime, holding a 39-36 edge.
Two minutes into the second half, Crawford pulled Fresno State back within two with his second 3-pointer of the night. WSU got the next four, but Collins answered back with a triple from the top of the key.
The two sides traded baskets early in the second half. After a pair of Washington State layups, Collins made a step back three to bring the score back within 3. The Cougars would proceed to go on a 10-3 run though, capped off by a layup from center Nd Okafor to make it 57-47, forcing a Bulldogs timeout.
Just as Collins got Fresno State back within seven, the Cougars hit another 9-0 run. The deficit grew to 16 with 10:02 left in the half.
The Bulldogs attempted to claw its way back using the press. A rebound from Collins leading to a fastbreak dunk for Crawford made it as close as 10 with 2:23 remaining.
A 3-pointer from guard Isaiah Watts with 2:08 left sealed the win for Washington State. Watts had a game-high five steals to go with a pair of triples.
What’s next
The Bulldogs stay in Palm Desert on Wednesday for the conclusion of the two-day invitational, facing Cal Baptist University at 9 p.m.
“When you play back-to-back at this level, with all that banging of bodies, you know, we just got to rest,” Walberg said. “I think the biggest thing is, who really wants it more?”
Fresno State returns to the Save Mart Center next Wednesday, Dec. 4, as they welcome the San Diego State Aztecs to begin Mountain West Conference play.