USAF ACADEMY, Colo. – Behind a career day from 3-point specialist Xavier DuSell, Fresno State left Air Force with its second straight road win of the week, defeating the Falcons 68-66 on Saturday afternoon at Clue Arena.
Shooting 7-of-8 from 3, DuSell dropped in 29 points, the most by a Bulldog this season. Jalen Weaver joined the senior with a career high as well, scoring 16 points. Isaiah Hill also added 14 points and seven assists. The Falcons put four in double figures, led by Jeffrey Mills' 20.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Tight early, and teams trading turnovers, a more than three-minute stretch without a point ensued. Xavier DuSell ended the drought and put Fresno State up 10-7 with a quick release from the right corner with 13:14 on the clock.
Turnovers continued for the Bulldogs but the defense kept it close.
With just over six minutes remaining in the half, Enoch Boakye tracked down an offensive rebound and it set up DuSell deep from the top to give the 'Dogs their first lead in nearly seven minutes at 19-18. That was followed by a thunderous dunk from Jalen Weaver through traffic.
Five unanswered from Air Force and the lead went back with the Falcons until DuSell sank his fourth triple of the half with 3:38 to play.
The Bulldogs and Falcons went into the half knotted up at 28-28.
After 14 in the first half, DuSell came out of the locker room with seven in less than three minutes following a four-point play that put the Bulldogs up 39-32. The Falcons tried to chip away over the next three minutes but DuSell was there time and again from deep to keep the lead in Fresno State's favor.
With under 12 minutes on the clock, Weaver produced nine points in an 11-2 run as the 'Dogs took their largest lead of the day at 58-47 to force a timeout from the Falcons. A corner 3 and a layup though out of the stoppage and the Bulldogs' advantage was quickly cut to six.
A 10-2 stretch by Air Force inside of four minutes remaining tied the game up at 64-64 with 1:41 to go. Weaver answered, getting inside the paint and flipping in a turnaround layup. A stop and a mid-range jumper from Isaiah Hill extended the Bulldogs' lead with 24.7 seconds remaining.
NOTES
Fresno State entered the week with just one road win but have now won back-to-back road games (San Jose State, Air Force).
Fresno State won its second game in a row when scoring less than 70 points. The Bulldogs had previously won just once when scoring below 70 points.
Fresno State had its second-best shooting day of the year at 57.1 percent (24-of-42).
All 11 of Fresno State's wins have come when outshooting its opponent.
Xavier DuSell scored a career-high 29 points on 8-of-11 shooting.
DuSell made a career-best seven 3-pointers, doing so on just eight attempts.
Jalen Weaver scored a career-high 16 points in his home state of Colorado.
Enoch Boakye grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds, his ninth game this year with at least 10 rebounds.
UP NEXT
Fresno State returns home to host UNLV on Wednesday night. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. PT and will air on CBS Sports Network.