KENT, Ohio – Traveling more than 2,000 miles across the country to face a team which made the 2023 NCAA Tournament, Fresno State fought hard but came up short at Kent State, falling 79-69 at the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center. Despite shooting 60 percent on the night, the Bulldogs were unable to overcome a minus-10 differential in turnovers.
Xavier DuSell had a game-high 18 points, knocking down from deep. Isaac Taveras (13) and Isaiah Hill (11) combined for 24 points, all coming in the second half.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Fresno State grabbed its first lead of the game five minutes in on a free throw from Donovan Yap Jr. VonCameron Davis answered with a 3 but Xavier DuSell came back with one of his own to put the 'Dogs up 10-9. The senior's second and third of the half put the Bulldogs up two on both occasions.
After leading 16-14 with 10:27 on the clock on DuSell's third triple, Kent State went on an 8-0 run to go up six before a layup from Leo Colimerio ended the drought with 4:47 left in the half. Enoch Boakye's second dunk of the half brought the 'Dogs back within two, but after the under-four media timeout, the Golden Flashes closed on a 9-2 stretch to go up 31-22 at the half.
Coming off a curl, Hill drained a 3 with hands in his face just over three minutes into the second half. That bucket transitioned into a steal from a Boakye and the junior cleaned things up with a flush at the other end to bring Fresno State to within four at 35-31. After a layup from Cli'ron Hornbeak, a corner three from Jalen Weaver brought the 'Dogs within three.
Kent State built its advantage back up to eight though but the Bulldogs fought back. Following a steal and runout by Isaac Taveras, Fresno State was back within three at 44-41 with 12:55 on the clock. After a second layup on the next trip to keep the deficit at three, Fresno State saw the Golden Flashes go on a 14-5 run forcing the Bulldogs to call a timeout with 8:02 remaining.
Fresno State trailed by as much as 17 with 3:13 left in the game before closing on an 11-4 stretch.
NOTES
Fresno State shot 60 percent from the field (27-of-45) in the game, and 73.1 percent during the second half (19-of-26).
The Bulldogs were minus-10 in turnovers, resulting in a nine-point deficit in points off turnovers.
Xavier DuSell was in double figures for the second straight game with 18 points. The senior shot 7-of-11 from the field.
DuSell had four of the Bulldogs' eight 3-pointers, shooting 4-of-7.
True freshman Isaac Taveras reached double figures with 13 points, all coming in the second half.
With 11 points, Isaiah Hill moved up to No. 37 on the Fresno State scoring list with 983 points. On Saturday he passed Paul George, Mike Mitchell and Clarence Metcalfe. He sits two points behind Len Brown.
Hill had a game-high eight assists to give him 15 through the first two games of the season.
UP NEXT
Fresno State will return home to host Morgan State. The contest is the first game of the 2023 Cancun Challenge. Tipoff at the Save Mart Center is slated for 7:30 p.m. PT.