Bulldogs find offensive touch

Fresno State's season-high 81 points electrifies the Save Mart Center crowd, leads to victory against San Jose State

By Darrell Copeland

After a lackluster start, the Fresno State men’s basketball team rallied to defeat San Jose State.

The Bulldogs (13-14, 9-8), outlasted the Spartans (6-21, 1-16) by a score of 81 to 76.

“ Good win for the Bulldogs tonight,” Fresno State head coach Ray Lopes said.

Bulldog senior Shantay Legans did more than his fair share, scoring a career-high 30 points en route to victory. On the night, Fresno State made 11 of 21 threes, including another career-high seven by Legans.

San Jose State jumped out to the early lead, taking advantage of an open lane inside. It wasn’t until the Bulldogs went inside, namely to Francis Koffi.

“ Frenchie gave us another good performance,” Lopes said.

Yet another spark for the Bulldogs came by way of the trampoline-like Reggie Butler. Coming off the bench, Butler pitched in eight points, along with providing solid defense for Fresno State.

“ I’m really proud of Reggie Butler the way he came off the bench and sparked us,” Lopes said.

According to Bulldog junior Dreike Bouldin, Butler’s spark comes from his swagger.

“ He’s the cockiest dude on the team,” Bouldin said.

Bouldin held his own as well, earning himself a double double with 18 points and 10 rebounds.

“ He’s playing with a lot more confidence,” Lopes said.

Bouldin began the night shooting 0-4 from behind the arc, but finished a more than respectable 4-9 from downtown.

“ Coach is just like, ‘shoot with confidence,’” Bouldin said. “I hear that so much. It stuck in my head the second half.”

In the second half, the game between the Spartans and Bulldogs picked up the pace as the two teams traded baskets, with neither backing down.

“ They kept running at us but we came down to the other end of the floor and countered,” Lopes said.

The 81 points by the Bulldogs is the most they have scored all season. A by-product of pushing the ball up the floor and good shooting led to the combined 157 points between the two teams.

“ It seem like it was more fun tonight because coach was like ‘we gon' run from now on,’” Bouldin said.

The crowd of 13,535 enjoyed the change, giving the Bulldogs multiple standing ovations in approval of the newly found offense.

“ Boy it feels good to make shots,” Lopes said. “Good win for the Bulldogs tonight.”

After ending their four game home losing streak, the Bulldogs will look to start a new one, only with wins instead. Fresno State will go for two in a row at home when it hosts Hawaii on Saturday at 7 p.m.