PALM DESERT, Calif. – For the second time in five days, Fresno State erased a double-digit deficit in the final minutes to take a lead. But on Wednesday night, a 3-pointer from inside half court for Cal Baptist sent the game to overtime. The Bulldogs eventually fell in double overtime 86-81 to close out the Acrisure Holiday Invitational held at Acrisure Arena.
Amar Augillard had a team-26 points to go with a season-high eight rebounds. Elijah Price posted his second double-double with season highs of 16 points and 15 rebounds. Also in double figures for the Bulldogs were Jalen Weaver (11), Zaon Collins (10) and Mykell Robinson (10).
HOW IT HAPPENED
Fresno State opened with the first four but Cal Baptist countered with a 12-2 run during a three-minute span. The Bulldogs forced a string of five consecutive missed attempts from the field, countering with three straight to level the game up at 12-12 with 12:17 on the clock.
The Lancers countered with the next eight in 90 seconds, with six coming from the 3-point line from Javonte Johnson, before Mykell Robinson split a pair at the line to end the run.
Fresno State managed to pull back within five following a bucket from Amar Augillard with 8:05 on the clock. Dominique Daniels Jr., answered with a triple as CBU used a 11-4 spurt to extend its lead back to double digits, aided by three Bulldog turnovers.
Trailing 35-21 with under three minutes, Robinson got to the bucket to start a 6-0 stretch for the 'Dogs. CBU scored on its final possession of the half to take a 37-27 lead into the locker room. The Bulldogs shot 44.8% from the field, but a 15-0-point differential from 3 and nine turnovers proved costly for Fresno State.
The Bulldogs came out attacking at both ends, forcing CBU to start 1-of-10 from the field while getting into transition to the tune of a 10-2 run. Less than six minutes into the half, the Lancers' lead was all but gone as the score stood at 39-37.
Six straight from Johnson, followed by a steal and run out led to CBU regaining its 10-point lead at 47-37.
The Bulldogs tried to scrape back into the game but the Lancers had answers, even extending their advantage to 12 with just over five minutes remaining in the game. Ninety seconds later, it still remained double digits at 10.
Upping their intensity, the 'Dogs locked in and went on 13-0 run over the last three-and-half minutes. A 3-pointer on the wing from Robinson with five seconds on the shot clock gave the 'Dogs their first lead (64-62) since 16:03 in the first quarter. It was part of a 17-2 run over five minutes.
Just after crossing midcourt, Daniels Jr., pulled up and tied the game up with two seconds remaining. The Bulldogs nearly stole the game right back. A heave on the inbound pass from Robinson found Elijah Price. The forward pulled it away from a defender and threw up a fadeaway 3 but the ball rattled in and out.
In the first overtime, Augillard scored the first seven points for Fresno State, with both of his 3-pointers giving the Bulldogs a two-point lead. CBU countered with four points to take the lead with 13 seconds on the clock. Zaon Collins answered, driving left baseline and dropping a floater in with 3.4 seconds on the clock.
Back-and-forth in the second overtime, Fresno State held a two-point lead with 2:39 on the clock after a layup from Augillard. That was the last bucket though for the 'Dogs as they missed on their last three attempts while the Lancers finished the game on an 8-1 run.
NOTES
Fresno State was 0-of-7 from the 3 in the first half, the second time this season the Bulldogs have not made a 3-pointer in the first half.
The Bulldogs missed their first 11 attempts from 3 before connecting on a strong of four during their next seven.
Fresno State moved to 0-2 on the year when it had a lower assist-to-turnover ratio than its opponent. The Bulldogs had just seven assists to 15 turnovers on the night.
Fresno State dropped its first game of the year when outrebounding its opponent (53-52).
Fresno State had five players score in double figures for the second time this season.
Amar Augillard had his fourth 20-point game of the season, finishing with 26 points.
Augillard also grabbed a career-high eight rebounds.
Elijah Price posted season highs of 16 points and 15 rebounds to record his second double-double in the last three games.
Price also matched his season high in blocks with three.
Jalen Weaver posted his third double-figure game of the season with 11 points.
UP NEXT
Fresno State returns home to dip into Mountain West play on Dec. 4, hosting San Diego State. Tipoff at the Save Mart Center is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. PT and will air on FS1. Tickets can be purchased here.