FRESNO, Calif. – Fresno State won its third game in a row on Friday night, defeating CSU Bakersfield 61-58 at the Save Mart Center.
Senior point guard, and Bakersfield native, Isaiah Hill led the Bulldogs with 13 points and nine assists. Donavan Yap Jr. pitched in 12 points while Enoch Boakye and Xavier DuSell had 11 apiece.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Low scoring early, both teams combined to connect on just three of their first 16 attempts. A 3-pointer from Xavier DuSell with 13:43 gave the Bulldogs a 10-3 advantage. After giving up a field goal with 12:28 on the clock, the 'Dogs locked in forcing 11 straight missed shots. Fresno State built its lead up to 13 through an 11-2 run during the six-minute stretch.
Scoreless for the final two-and-a-half minutes, the Roadrunners closed the gap on the 'Dogs heading into the half. Fresno State led 24-17 at the break after holding CSU Bakersfield to 19.2 percent shooting from the field (5-of-26).
Within the first four minutes of the second half, the Roadrunners trimmed the Bulldogs' lead down to three. Fresno State's advantage stood between 4-7 points during the next 11 minutes.
CSUB pulled to within two with 4:50 to play following a 3-pointer from Dalph Panopio and a jumper from Kaleb Higgins. Needing a bucket to give themselves some breathing room, DuSell sank a triple from the left corner with 1:48 on the clock to give the 'Dogs a 60-54 advantage.
It was just enough as the Roadrunners could only get to as close as two in the final minute.
NOTES
Fresno State moved to 5-1 on the year at the Save Mart Center.
After the both teams combined for 41 points in the first half, the two totaled 78 in the second half.
Fresno State moved to 4-0 when four Bulldogs reach double figures.
Fresno State had a positive assist-to-turnover ratio for the third straight game (15-10).
Isaiah Hill led the Bulldogs in scoring for the fifth time this season, totaling 13 points.
Hill dished out a season-high nine assists.
Enoch Boakye had a career-high 11 points to go along with team-high eight rebounds.
Donovan Yap Jr. matched his career high with three steals.
UP NEXT
Fresno State returns to the Save Mart Center on Monday to host Portland State in the finale game of its four-game home stretch. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. PT and will stream live on the Mountain West Network.