FRESNO, Calif. – A three-pointer by Jemarl Baker with 1:01 to play in regulation lifted the Fresno State men's basketball team into the lead as the Bulldogs opened Mountain West play with a 58-53 victory over Wyoming on Wednesday night at the Save Mart Center.
The Bulldogs were led by Baker with 20 points as the fifth-year senior connected on a season-high four three-pointers and went 8-of-15 from the field.
Isaih Moore added 13 points and corralled nine rebounds, co-leading the team with Leo Colimerio, who chipped in eight points and nine boards for Fresno State (5-7, 1-0 Mountain West). Wyoming (5-8, 0-1 MW) was led by 16 points from Noah Reynolds.
How It Happened
Leading 21-20 in the early going of the first half, Fresno State broke the game open with a 15-0 run over the next four-and-half minutes to take a 36-20 lead. A layup by Baker put the 'Dogs ahead 38-25 heading into halftime.
A three-pointer by Colimerio two minutes into the second half gave the Bulldogs, who led for nearly 34 of the game's 40 minutes, their largest lead of the night at 46-28. The Cowboys responded with a 10-0 run to cut the 'Dogs lead to eight, followed by a three-point play by Moore put the 'Dogs up 11 at 49-38.
Wyoming continued to chip away at the 'Dogs' lead, going on a 13-0 run to take a 51-49 lead with 3:11 to play in regulation.
A layup by Baker knotted the game at 51 and after two from the Cowboys, Baker's three-pointer put the Bulldogs in the lead for good as Colimerio and Eduardo Andre each sank a pair of free throws in the final minute to seal the victory.
Notes
Fresno State improved to 21-14 all-time against Wyoming, including a 15-4 record against the Cowboys in Fresno (8-4 at the Save Mart Center) and 6-3 in head coach Justin Hutson's five seasons.
Fresno State improved to 3-2 in MW home openers in Hutson's tenure.
Fresno State improved to 29-4 when allowing under 60 points in Hutson's tenure.
Fresno State's defense has now limited 23 of its last 24 opponents in regular season games, including 11 of 12 games this season, to fewer than 70 points.
Fresno State has limited its opponents to fewer than 70 points in 41 of its last 48 games, including 11 of 12 this season.
Fresno State outrebounded Wyoming 35-33 (10-4 on the offensive glass) and committed just six turnovers while forcing 11 Cowboy turnovers.
Fresno State outscored Wyoming 10-0 in transition and 26-20 in the paint.
After the first day of conference action, Fresno State is tied for first place in the Mountain West standings.
Quotes
Justin Hutson, Fresno State head coach
On executing with the game on the line…
"The execution was really good. We couldn't be more proud of out guys. You know we fouled, we dribbled up and made our threes, made our free throws. We did a good job at the end executing what we were doing. Sometimes the ball goes in or it doesn't, but we still executed well."
Leo Colimerio, Fresno State junior forward
On elevating his game and making plays down the stretch.
"It felt good to play hard for my teammates and to be out there and be who I am. It felt good to be on the floor and defending and making a big play."
Jemarl Baker, Jr., Fresno State senior guard
On staying ready while playing through foul trouble…
"Coach Hut has been talking about staying locked in for many weeks now and I just tried to stay aggressive when I got back in and stayed locked in when I was out, cheer the team on and try to keep everybody's energy up. We kept fighting and I'm glad we came out with a win. A lot of people made big plays for us at the end to help us come out with a win."
Up next
The 'Dogs head out on the road on Saturday traveling to Utah State (11-2) for an 11 a.m. PT contest at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum.