FRESNO, Calif. – Shooting a season-high 64.7 percent from the field, Fresno State ran away with its largest win of the year, defeating Pacific 89-56 on Saturday at the Save Mart Center.
The Bulldogs dropped in a season-high 16 3-points on their way to the win, sinking eight in each half. Xavier DuSell hit six of them going 6-of-9 en route to scoring a season-high 19 points. Isaiah Hill connected on 5-of-7 from deep, finishing with 17 points.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Fresno State jumped out to an early 12-4 lead behind four straight made free 3-pointers from its backcourt, including two from Isaiah Hill. Just over a minute later, and after back-to-back transition layups for the 'Dogs put them up 16-7, Pacific called an early timeout.
Following a bucket from Moe Odum out of the break, Fresno State's defense forced six straight missed shots and it turned into offense for the 'Dogs. Fresno State went on a 14-0 run to take its largest lead of the half at 30-9. Leo Colimerio started off the stretch with back-to-back layups.
The Bulldogs took a 42-23 advantage into the half after shooting 64.0 percent (16-of-25) from the field and 53.3 percent from 3 (8-of-15).
Fresno State opened the second half just like it did the first. The Bulldogs went 11-of-13 to start with a stretch of nine straight made shots to force a timeout and open a 31-point lead at 71-40 with 9:39 on the clock.
Xavier DuSell caught fire during half, connecting on four straight triples to aid in the 'Dogs opening up a 30-point cushion that they kept throughout the final seven-plus minutes.
NOTES
The 89 points were the most the Bulldogs have scored this season, besting the 87 against Morgan State.
Fresno State's 42 points in the first half was its second-most in a first half this season.
Fresno State's 47 points in the second half was tied for its most in any half this season.
Fresno State made a season-high 16 3-pointers (16-of-28). It is the most since hitting 21 against Chicago State on March 4, 2023.
Fresno State had a season-high 22 assists.
The Bulldogs had a season-low eight turnovers, three under their previous low.
Xavier DuSell matched his season high in scoring with 19 points.
DuSell made a season-high six 3-pointers to match his career high (6-of-9). It was the fifth time he's made a half dozen shots from outside.
Isaiah was back in double figures putting up 17 points.
The senior matched his career high from deep, knocking down five 3-pointers, doing so on just seven attempts.
Isaac Taveras reached double figures in the scoring column for the second straight game with 10 points.
Leo Colimerio had a season-high 13 points in the first half.
UP NEXT
Fresno State will continue its home stretch with CSU Bakersfield on Friday. Tipoff at the Save Mart Center is scheduled for 7 p.m. PT.