RIVIERA MAYA, Mexico – In the final game of the Cancun Challenge, Fresno State fell to No. 22 James Madison 95-64 on Wednesday evening in the Riviera Division championship game.
The Dukes had four players in double figures compared to the Bulldogs' two. The 'Dogs were led by Isaiah Hill and Eduardo Andre who had 12 points apiece while JMU was led by Noah Freidel's 26 points.
Hill and Donavan Yap Jr. were selected to the 2023 Cancun Challenge Riviera Division All-Tournament Team.
HOW IT HAPPENED
JMU came out and blitzed the Bulldogs from the tip. The Dukes hit on their first three shots to force the Bulldogs to call a timeout 90 seconds in. JMU continued to build on its advantage, leading 15-1 at the first media timeout after starting 6-of-6 from the field.
Down 28-5 just under 10 minutes in, the Bulldogs attempted to cut into JMU's lead. In four minutes, the 'Dogs chipped the deficit to 15 at 32-17. JMU pushed it back up to 22 before Jalen Weaver cut it back to 18 with back-to-back buckets with three minutes to go in the half.
The Dukes closed the half on a 10-0 run to take a 51-23 lead into the break. Twelve Bulldog miscues aided in the JMU advantage with an 18-2 disparity in points off turnovers.
Despite scoring 41 points in the second half, Fresno State was unable to close the gap as JMU outscored the 'Dogs by three during the final 20 minutes.
NOTES
Fresno State dropped to 20-81 all-time versus AP Top 25 teams.
Fresno State was held below 50 percent shooting for the first time this season (41.3 percent).
Fresno State was outscored 30-9 at the 3-point line.
Eighteen Bulldog turnovers resulted in a -12 disparity in points off turnovers.
Fresno State outrebounded its fourth consecutive opponents (35-33).
The Bulldogs outscored the Dukes 20-10 in second chance points.
With 12 points, Isaiah Hill reached double figures in scoring for the fifth straight game to start the season.
Eduardo Andre reached double figures for the first time since the season opener, scoring 12 points on 4-of-4 shooting. The senior also had a season-high three steals.
Enoch Boakye grabbed a career-high 13 rebounds.
UP NEXT
The Bulldogs will return home to Fresno to host UC Santa Barbara on Monday. Tipoff at the Save Mart Center is set for 7 p.m. PT.