FRESNO, Calif. – Outscored by 17 in the second half, Fresno State's strong defensive first half wasn't enough as the Bulldogs fell to No. 24 San Diego State 84-62 on Wednesday night at the Save Mart Center.
Mykell Robinson led the 'Dogs with a double-double, posting 20 points and 10 rebounds. SDSU and three players in double figures, paced by Magoon Gwath's 25 points and 10 rebounds.
How It Happened
An intense, defensive struggle to open, Mykell Robinson got the first points of the game, knocking down a 3-pointer with 17:05 on the clock. That came after the team's combined to go 0-of-10 from the field, and it was the only bucket during the first 4:48.
Fresno State led until 12:18 when San Diego State grabbed a 9-8 lead after five unanswered points. After the Bulldogs tied it up at the line, the Aztecs scored seven of the next nine with a triple from Miles Byrd putting SDSU up 16-11.
The 'Dogs climbed back within 1 with 8:15 to go in the half, but an open corner 3 from Magoon Gwath extended the lead. That started an 11-2 run for SDSU with nine of those points coming from behind the arc from the Aztecs' 7-footer.
The Bulldogs trimmed that 10-point deficit in half in the final 64 seconds through Alex Crawford. The junior ended a near-six-minute field goal drought with a layup. Crawford then got the final shot of the half off, with an attempt for the corner bouncing up on the rim before rattling in as time expired.
Despite shooting 21.2% from the field, the Bulldogs trailed by just five at the half, 29-24.
Fresno State cut the deficit to three out of the break but the 'Dogs were forced to call an early timeout following an 5-0 Aztec spurt.
SDSU grabbed its largest lead of the game at 13 (42-29) six minutes into the half with a pair of 3-pointers. Robinson answered with a 3-point play the hard way. The Aztecs quickly pushed their lead back up to 17.
Beginning to show its press with under 10 minutes to go, an open 3 from Jasir Tremble was followed by a layup from Zaon Collins. SDSU though responded with a 9-1 run to go up 63-43 with 7:35 remaining.
Fresno State was outscored 30-20 during the final nine minutes of the game.
Notes
Fresno State was held below 35% shooting from the field for the third time this year (2-1). The Bulldogs shot a season-low 27.3% (18-of-66).
Fresno State was held below 20% from 3 for the second game in a row, shooting 19.2% (5-of-26).
The Bulldogs were outrebounded 53-39 after just a minus-1 difference at the half.
Fresno State allowed a season-high 55 points in the second half. It was the second time the 'Dogs have given up 50-plus points in the second half.
Fresno State had a season-low four assists.
Mykell Robinson notched his second double-double of the season with 20 points and 20 rebounds. The 20 points was a career high while the 10 rebounds matched his career high.
With 10 points, Zaon Collins has reached double figures in all six games he has played in.
Elijah Price grabbed nine rebounds. It was the fifth straight game he has collected at least nine rebounds.
Up Next
Fresno State will return to its nonconference slate on Saturday, traveling to Santa Clara. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m. PT at the Leavey Center.