'Dogs get a second run-in with Gauchos

By Darrell Copeland III
The Collegian

It’s as if Fresno State football coach Pat Hill laid out the team goals and agenda during the month of November for the Bulldogs basketball team.

Under Hill, the Fresno State football program has always strived to peak in November and finish on a winning note. Of course the Bulldogs basketball team has only just begun its season, but Bulldogs fans surely won’t complain with a perfect 6-0 record for the month of November, and a 1-0 record to start off December.

That lone December win, however, was a the sort of win that the Bulldogs have needed — a tough road win against a team from a top conference. That win happened to be a 74-69 victory over Pac-10 member Oregon State.

For Fresno State, Hector Hernandez had his coming of age party, scoring 23 points while grabbing 12 rebounds en route to the win over the Beavers.

The Bulldogs’ preseason strength of schedule has been questioned through the first seven games of the season, putting a bit more importance to the Oregon State game.

In a similar manner, tonight’s game at the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos will be another fair measuring stick for just how well the Bulldogs are playing to this point in the season.

The Gauchos (5-2) are coming off a victory over Portland, bumping their road record to an impressive 4-0 on the season. The leading scoring threat for the Gauchos through six games this season is Alex Harris, who is averaging 23.3 points per game.

Ironically, the Bulldogs will meet the Gauchos for a second time this season, although the first time was rather informal.

While the Bulldogs waited for their bags at the airport prior to its game against Oregon State, the Gauchos were waiting for their bags before their game against Portland.

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