The Fresno State men’s basketball team took their first season loss while on the road against the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB).
Despite being down by 17 in the second half, the Bulldogs fought until the end, losing 91-86 to the Gauchos.
The Bulldogs were again led in scoring, similar to last game, by guard Amar Augillard, who had 21 points off the bench in Wednesday’s loss. Augillard also added two assists and two steals.
UCSB was efficient in their scoring, shooting 52% from the field while also shooting 29-of-33 from the free throw line.
What Happened
The first half was back and forth, with neither team able to create much separation between the other.
The Gauchos went on an early 8-2 run to open the game, but the Bulldogs responded with some momentum of their own. Forward Elijah Price knocked down a three-pointer followed by a layup to spark a quick 7-0 run to give the ‘Dogs their first lead three minutes into the game.
The Bulldogs would take the lead again, following a three pointer by Mykell Robinson making the score 14-12.
The rest of the first half would see both teams trading buckets and keeping it close, despite early foul trouble for the Bulldogs.
The ‘Dogs committed 11 fouls in the first half alone, giving the Gauchos plenty of opportunities at the free throw line. UCSB took advantage, shooting 11-of-14 from the line in the first half.
UCSB took a 37-34 lead into halftime.
The foul troubles continued for Fresno State into the second half.
Jalen Weaver scored the first 8-points for the Bulldogs to start the second half, with UCSB still ahead 48-42 with 16:23 remaining.
But in the four-minute stretch to start the second half, Weaver was called for two technical fouls, ejecting him from the game. Weaver ended his night with 14 points in 23 minutes.
The game slowly got away from the ‘Dogs as UCSB quickly turned a 6-point lead into an 11-point lead following Weaver’s ejection from the game.
With 13 minutes to go, the Gauchos went on an 11-3 scoring run, giving them a 68-56 lead. The lead would then balloon all the way to 17 with under five minutes to play.
But the Bulldogs were not going to go down without a fight. First year head coach Vance Walberg went to the full-court press to dial up some pressure.
The intensity worked for the Bulldogs who started a 7-0 run with a layup from Augillard off his own steal.
Guard Zaon Collins’ layup made it 81-73 in favor of the Gauchos with two minutes to go.
A four-point swing would hurt the momentum for Fresno State, as Collins was later called for a foul, followed by a technical foul, which would send Deuce Turner to the line to shoot four free throws.
Turner made all four, giving UCSB a 12-point lead with a minute and a half to go.
The Bulldogs ended the game on a 13-6 run but with time not on their side, they could not complete the comeback losing 91-86.
Fresno State’s 86 points were the third-most scored by the Bulldogs in the last four seasons.
Collins had six steals on the night, the most of any Mountain West Conference player this season.
What’s Next
The Bulldogs will continue on the road to play California State University, Bakersfield on Saturday, Nov. 16 at 6:30 p.m.
The next home game at the Save Mart Center will be Wednesday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. when the ‘Dogs host Prairie View.
