Bulldogs rise up to challenge
Ja'Vance Coleman's jumper over Bronco defender caps comeback
When the game comes down to the final seconds, there is no doubt as to who will get the final shot for the Bulldogs. Fresno State’s Ja’Vance Coleman sunk the final shot with 8 seconds left in the game.
Below: Fresno State players Dwight O’Neil (Front), Ja’Vance Coleman (Right) and students react after a last-second shot attempt by Boise State clinched a Bulldog victory.
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By Maggie Thach
The Collegian
More than anything, it was a chance. A chance to show the Fresno community, not to mention a national television ESPN2 audience, exactly what kind of team this is.
It was a chance to redeem a stinging loss at Boise State. A chance to prove, despite self-imposed post-season bans, that Fresno State (15-11, 8-6 WAC) can overcome adversity and make some noise in the Western Athletic Conference.
Chances were what they started with but it was an 81-79 victory over the Broncos (13-14, 5-10 WAC) that they came away with.
The biggest student section of the season showed up for the team’s last home game and despite the 9 p.m. start, there was an announced attendance of 10,914.
“What a great college atmosphere,” head coach Steve Cleveland said. “It was great to see the students come out. We need [them].”
Fresno State was fortunate to stay close to the Broncos in the first half. The Bulldogs were 13-for-33 from the field while Boise State was shooting a scorching 51.3 percent.
The ability to get to the free-throw line was vital; Fresno State shot 15 free throws (making 10) and Boise State made the trip to the line just once.
Three-point shots, two from Quinton Hosley and two from Ja’Vance Coleman, also kept the Broncos from taking not more than a 44-42 lead into halftime.
But Fresno State had more than regaining the lead to think about going into intermission. With 4:27 left in the first, Coleman made a 3 and landed on a Boise State defender’s foot. Coleman fell to the ground clutching his right ankle, the same ankle he injured playing the Broncos in Boise.
“We didn’t think he would be able to go in the second half but he was ready. We thought, ‘hey, let’s go with it,’” Cleveland said. “Good thing, huh?”
Coleman scored 13 of his game-high 25 points and when the game had the potential to reach overtime, he made the shots the sealed the game.
“We always knew Ja’Vance would shoot the ball,” Cleveland said. “It’s just better if we put the ball in his hands.”
The Bulldogs were down by 10 with 11:28 left in the second half. Fresno State slowly chipped away Boise State’s double-digit lead with a pair of Hector Hernandez 3s but it was Donovan Morris’ 3 that cut the lead to 73-74 and changed the tide of the game.
Coleman hit a jumper to put the Bulldogs up three and when the Broncos found a way to tie the game with 32 seconds left in the game, Coleman made the game-winning shot.
Students in RedZone shirts and painted bodies rushed the court to help the Bulldogs celebrate the last-second victory.
“It was big just to have this game nationally televised,” Kevin Bell said. “It showed Fresno State is still legit.”
But more importantly, Fresno State not only had a chance to send a message. They sent it.
“I think it was a good, positive message,” Hosley said. “It just shows there is just so much to look forward to next year. If we get a few missing pieces, we’ll definitely be able to make a run next season.”
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