After scoring only 25 points in the first half, Fresno State was able to rally in the second half outscoring the University of Nevada, Las Vegas 46-32. Unfortunately it was too little, too late.
“We obviously didn't play well,” Head Coach Steve Cleveland said. “But the thing I liked about the game is that we never quit. We are a little short-handed right now but we learned from tonight's game.”
Right now, the Bulldogs are playing without injured Guard Dwight O’Neil and suspended Forward Rekalin Sims.
Senior Point Guard Kevin Bell led the Bulldogs tonight in scoring, putting up 17. The ‘Dogs also got 16 points from Senior Forward Hector Hernandez and 15 from Senior Guard Eddie Miller. Senior Forward Shawn Taylor had a career-high with 12 rebounds.
“I thought Shawn Taylor played the best game of his career as Bulldog,” Cleveland added.
The Bulldogs, who are now 1-3 on the road this season, are making a habit getting off to a slow start. They have trailed or been tied at halftime in 5 of 9 games this season.
Saturday’s game against UNLV proved no different with the Bulldogs trailing 23-5 after only 10 minutes of play.
“I'm certainly not pleased that we didn't win the game,” Cleveland said. “We are never satisfied when we lose, but we learned from this game. UNLV is a good basketball team.”
Guard Rene Rougeau led the Rebels on Saturday night with 19 points on 8 of 11 shooting.
Rebounding was a positive on the night with the Bulldogs out-rebounding the defending Mountain West Conference champion Rebels 41-37.
The Bulldogs must now focus on their next opponent, the Arizona Wildcats. The Wildcats will come into the game 6-2 and ranked in the top 25. They beat Illinois on Saturday and will not play again until Saturday at 12 p.m. against Fresno State. That game can be seen on Saturday, December 16, at Noon PT on Fox Sports Net and the Bulldogs Sports Network (KFRE WB 59).