'Dogs gear up by beating Gear Hog

Fresno State nearly loses final preseason tune-up before Friday's opener at Oregon, but holds on to down Gear Hog All-Stars 86-79

By Anthony Witrado

A couple of former Fresno State guards almost dealt the current Bulldogs an embarrassing exhibition loss.

Damon Jackson, a first-team All-Western Athletic Confer-ence selection last season, and Wil Hooker, the school's second all-time leading scorer, sparked a late run by the Gear Hog All-Stars, but Fresno State went 7 for 7 from the free-throw line during the final minute to win 86-79 on Monday at the Save Mart Center.

Jackson, a year late to experience the new arena in a Bulldogs uniform, lit up his alma mater for 18 second-half points, including six 3-pointers that had Fresno State fans reminiscing about his clutch performances last season. Jackson buried a 3 that pulled the All-Stars, once down 18 points in the half, within two points at 68-66 with five minutes, 29 seconds to go.

Two Jackson free throws a minute later tied the game at 68 before the All-Stars snatched the lead on former Washington High guard Shamell Stallworth's 3-pointer from the left wing.

Shantay Legans made five free throws late, including a three-point play that put Fresno State ahead 80-77 with 56.6 seconds remaining. The Bulldogs never trailed again.

Jackson and Stallworth buried outside shots all night and were left open late because of slow defensive rotations brought about by fatigue, Bulldogs coach Ray Lopes said. Fresno State only played with seven players because of an injury, a suspension and an eligibility investigation, not leaving Lopes with many substitution options.

Junior Dreike Bouldin is still nursing a fractured left pinky that should keep him out through Friday’s season-opener at Oregon. Guard Terry Pettis is suspended from the team indefinitely and there is a new wrinkle for Fresno State officials to iron flat. Francis Koffi sat out both exhibition games for precautionary reasons because of a tip informing the school that he played for a professional team in his native France. If found to be true, Koffi would have jeopardized his amateur status and would not be allowed to play collegiate basketball.

“ That is something we need to get worked out,” Lopes said. "It just depends on how urgent an issue this is to the people in France. I think they work on a different timeline."

The lack of players forced Fresno State into a 2-3 zone, giving Jackson a whiff of his favorite entree: an open shot.

“ We had to play the 2-3 because we were limited in players,” Lopes said.

“ The problem with that is you get a guy like Damon Jackson who wants to see that.”

Jackson and Stallworth held down the offense while former shooter turned defensive stopper Hooker took care of the defense.

Hooker re-entered the game midway through the second half. His assignment was to stop the penetration and ball distribution of Legans, something the All-Stars had failed to do until then.

Hooker, now the head coach at Memorial High, stopped Legans from getting into the paint, and when Legans passed Hooker made sure he didn’t get the ball back.

“ That was the only way I could find my way into the game,” said Hooker, who was 0 for 3 shooting with five fouls. “When he passed it I tried not to let him get it back. He initiates everything. Good teams will figure that out.”

Legans acknowledged Hooker's defense sparked his team, but also said he wasn't giving a complete effort.

“ I let him take me out of the game,” Legans said. “I wasn't trying to get open like I should’ve. I can’t let that happen.”

Despite Hooker’s late defensive effort, Legans finished with 27 points.

Jackson had a game-high 32 and Stallworth added 28 for the All-Stars.

Without a full roster and an offense that sputtered at times, Lopes had mixed emotions about the victory. He was not happy with the inconsistency, but enjoyed the Bulldogs’ grit in a close game.

“ In a way, it was a good way to win the game,” he said. “We played sluggish, we played poorly. But we won.”

Women’s basketball

The women’s team outpaced Fresno Pacific in the second half of the doubleheader to earn a 90-74 victory over the Sunbirds.

Fresno State held on to an 11-point lead at halftime, but the Sunbirds nearly erased that lead before the Bulldogs were able to pull away for good.

Midway through the second half and down by 10, Fresno Pacific went on an 11-4 run to shave the Fresno State lead to 60-57.

But Fresno State rode some efficient shooting to a 16-point victory. The Bulldogs shot nearly 68 percent in the second half.

The Bulldogs were led by junior Veronica Mack, whose 20-point total was the highest of the four Bulldogs to score in double figures. Sophomore Lauren Selmon racked up 11 points. Sophomore Nikki Wilson and junior Aritta Lane each scored 10.

The win gave the Bulldogs a preseason split in exhibition games. Fresno State lost in its preseason opener 88-60 to Team Concept on Thursday.

Fresno State will open its regular season Friday at 7 p.m.

— Joshua D. Scroggin contributed to this report