SAN DIEGO – The Fresno State men's basketball team dropped its Mountain West opener to preseason conference favorite San Diego State, 74-47, on Wednesday night at Viejas Arena.
The Bulldogs were held to 34.5 percent shooting compared to SDSU's 52.6 percent. The Aztecs put three in double figures, led by Jaeden LeDee's 21 points. Fresno State got a team-high 10 points from Xavier DuSell.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Following an early dunk from Enoch Boakye to put the 'Dogs up 4-3, San Diego State connected on three of its next four shots to go on a 9-0 run. After a bucket from Isaiah Pope with 15:37 on the clock put the Bulldogs' deficit at 12-6, Fresno State missed on its next five attempts. The Aztecs extended their lead to
18-7, forcing Fresno State to call a timeout.
Out of the break, Isaac Taveras got to the bucket and slipped a layup in just after checking into the game. As SDSU grew its lead to 14 with 8:14 on the clock, driving layups from Pope and Jalen Weaver sandwiched a transition 3 from Xavier DuSell that cut the deficit to seven at 25-18.
Just five points for the 'Dogs over the next four minutes saw the SDSU's advantage grow to 16 before Weaver dropped in a 3 from the top of the key in the final minute. Fresno State trailed 39-26 at the break.
A pair of buckets from Enoch Boakye opened the second for the 'Dogs. SDSU, though, made 10 of its first 11 field goal attempts during a 23-8 stretch during the first 10-plus minutes of the half to go up 26.
NOTES
Fresno State dropped to 1-5 when allowing 70 or more points.
Fresno State was held to a season-low 47 points and 34.5 percent shooting from the field.
Fresno State is 2-4 in games separated by 20 or more points.
Fresno State lost its ninth consecutive game to San Diego State.
Xavier DuSell led the Bulldogs in scoring for the fifth time this season, totaling 10 points.
UP NEXT
Fresno State will return home to face Nevada on Saturday afternoon. Tipoff from the Save Mart Center is slated for 4 p.m. PT and will stream live on the Mountain West Network.