‘Dogs Host Aggies at SMC

The Fresno State Bulldogs will host to the New Mexico State Aggies Saturday night. The 'Dogs will follow that up by traveling to Logan to face the Utah State Aggies Monday night. NMSU comes in with a 16-12 overall record (9-3 WAC). The Bulldogs now have a 13-15 overall record (5-8 WAC).

This will be a very difficult matchup for the ‘Dogs. It has been the past three seasons, due to NMSU’s size advantage inside. The Aggies are the most talented WAC team right now.

NMSU Entering:

The Aggies senior guard/forward Justin Hawkins had 19 points and 10 rebounds as the Aggies fell at Nevada, 98-85, Thursday night. The performance was Hawkins his sixth double-double of the season.

NMSU’s last victory came in the Bracket Buster last weekend in an 80-48 drubbing of the Long Beach State 49ers. The Aggies played 12 players, all played 30 minutes or less. This is a great asset this late in the season to be able to rest players and not be forced to play key players 40 minutes a night.

Freshman Herb Pope led the way with 14 points and six rebounds. Justin Hawkins added 13 points and 10 rebounds while Wendell McKines had 10 points and eight boards including five offensive rebounds.

Key Aggie Stats:

78.2 points per game

48% field goal shooting

Justin Hawkins (17 pts, 7.2 rebs)

Jonathan Gibson (12.6 pts, 42.7% 3 pt fgs)

Herb Pope (10.9 pts, 6.7 rebs) since joining team

+8.8 rebounding margin

16.4 turnovers per game

Fresno State Entering:

The Bulldogs are coming in with the confidence of two straight victories, their first since Dec 20 and 22. They beat Hawaii after overcoming a second half deficit and had timely free throw shooting, then they were able to defeat Cal Poly Saturday in the Bracket Buster, 76-70. Eddie Miller finished with 25 points with six 3-pointers. His biggest was a 30-footer with the shot clock winding with 2:28 remaining that broke a tie and put the ‘Dogs up for good.

The heartbeat of the Bulldogs, Kevin Bell, had 19 points and 9 assists, Bell has been playing well of late. Tyson Parker added eight off the bench and provided some valuable slashing and penetrating into the Poly zone. Dwight O’Neil added 15, but looked fatigued and bothered by his wrist during a subpar second half. Hector Hernandez continues to have issues and was not able to score a point in 37 minutes of play.

Key Bulldog Stats:

Kevin Bell (18.1 pts, 6 assts)

Eddie Miller (15.1 pts, 99 made 3pt FGs)

69.6 points per game

8.4 made 3-point field goals per game

Rebounding deficit of -4.7

Turnover margin +1.7

5.8 steals per game

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