PALM DESERT, Calif. – Missing the last two games due to injuries, Zaon Collins (27) and Alex Crawford (17) returned to action on Wednesday night and combined to score 44 points. It was not enough though as the Bulldogs were defeated by Washington State 84-73 to open the Acrisure Holiday Invitational held at Acrisure Arena.
Collins and Crawford each posted season highs in the scoring column. The two were efficient from the floor, combining to go 18-of-27 from the field and 5-of-7 from beyond the arc.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Washington State jumped out to a 9-3 lead in the opening five minutes following a string of six turnovers. David Douglas Jr., pulled the Bulldogs back with a triple from the left wing. The Cougars countered back to extend their advantage back to seven at 15-8 with 12:16 on the clock.
With just over 12 minutes remaining in the first half, Elijah Price was tagged with his third foul, sending him to the bench.
Already with four points, Zaon Collins scored the next seven points during a 9-0 run in two minutes. Mor Seck gave the Bulldogs their first lead of the game off a put back 10 minutes in.
The game went back-and-forth during the next six minutes. A 3-pointer from Alex Crawford gave the Bulldogs what would be their final lead of the night at the 3:57 mark.
Washington State scored the next four points and went on to hold a 39-36 edge at the half.
Two minutes into the second half, Crawford pulled Fresno State back within two with his second 3-pointer of the night. WSU got the next four but Collins answered back with a triple from the top of the key.
The Cougars stretched their advantage to 57-47, hitting on its next four attempts in the ensuing two-and-a-half minutes. The spurt forced a timeout from the Bulldogs' bench.
Just as Collins got the Bulldogs within seven, the Cougars hit a 9-0 run. The deficit grew to 16 with 10:02 on the clock.
Fresno State attempted to claw its way back through its press, but the 'Dogs could only get as close as 10 with 2:23 remaining following a steal and dunk on the break from Crawford.
NOTES
Fresno State allowed an opponent to shoot a season-high 53.1% from the field. The Bulldogs are 0-3 this season when their opponent has shot over 45% from the field.
Fresno State is 0-3 this season when getting outrebounded (42-33).
Fresno State was outscored 50-34 in the paint. It was 14 points more than the Bulldogs previous largest disparity this season.
Zaon Collins posted a game-high 27 points on 11-of-17 shooting to go with four rebounds and four assists.
Alex Crawford scored a season-high 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting.
The junior connected on a season-best three 3-pointers (3-of-4).
Mykell Robinson finished with 10 points, his third straight game in double figures
UP NEXT
Fresno State will face Cal Baptist on Wednesday night in its final game of the Acrisure Holiday Invitational. Tipoff is scheduled for 9 p.m. PT and will air on truTV/MAX.