IRVINE, Calif. - Opening the month of December with a victory, the Fresno State men's basketball team rallied together to defeat the UC Irvine Anteaters 80-66 on Saturday evening at the Bren Events Center.
Fresno State (2-5) was led by Isaih Moore with 22 points while adding a team-leading nine rebounds in playing its sixth straight game against a Top 125 opponent. Jordan Campbell chipped in 16 points with Donavan Yap adding 15 points for the 'Dogs.
The Bulldogs shot a season-high 53.3 percent from the field as a team and also held an edge in three-point percentage, blocks and rebounds over UC Irvine (6-3).
How It Happened
Fresno State erased a 10-point deficit almost midway through the first half with a powerful 20-5 run to take a 37-32 lead and never looked back.
An alley-opp from Isaiah Hill to Campbell had knotted the contest at 30 and a layup from Jemarl Baker and a three-pointer from Campbell put the Bulldogs up five, 35-30. With the Bulldogs making the final two buckets of the first half, on a jumper by Yap and layup from Baker, the 'Dogs took a 47-41 lead to the locker room.
Opening the second half on fire, the 'Dogs pushed their lead to 11 at 60-49 after a jumper from Baker.
Extending it to as large as 15 on four occasions, an alley-opp from Baker to Moore made it 78-61 in favor of the 'Dogs with 1:14 to lay as the Bulldogs earned the 14-point road victory.
Notes:
Fresno State now leads the all-time series 30-10 (overall), which includes a 10-8 record in road games at UCI.
Fresno State has now won its last four meetings in the series with UCI.
Fresno State improved to 13-6 when Jordan Campbell has scored 10 or more points (13-4 when Campbell makes a 3-pointer).
Fresno State has now limited 19 straight opponents in regular season games, including every game this season, to fewer than 70 points.
Fresno State has limited 11 straight nonconference opponents in regular season games, including every game this season, to fewer than 70 points.
Fresno State has limited its opponents to fewer than 70 points in 37 of its last 43 games, including every game this season.
Assistant coach Keith Brown was designated as the acting head coach for the game as Fresno State head coach Justin Hutson was not at the game due to an illness.
Up next
The 'Dogs are back home on Wednesday to host CSUN (1-5) at the Save Mart Center at 7 p.m. PT.