Bulldogs turn it up at defensive end, snap five-game losing streak at Cal Poly

Fresno State appeared bound for another close finish Saturday.

The Bulldogs already had lost four games decided by six points or less on the season.

And with their top two points guards in Noah Blackwell and Jarred Hyder relegated to the bench because of knee injuries and their third option in Mustafa Lawrence in foul trouble early on at Cal Poly, the Bulldogs seemed like they were heading for another too close for comfort situation.

But those backcourt woes never proved too troublesome for the Bulldogs with Lawrence successfully avoiding another foul, and their team defense stepping up big en route a 62-37 victory over Cal Poly at the Mott Athletics Center.

“I didn’t even realize it, but that’s the kind of basketball that we want to play,” said Bulldogs guard New Williams, who had five steals with 11 points, three rebounds and three assists. “We take pride in our defense and being able to get stops, string together stops. We call them kills when we get three stops in a row. And we want to get at least 10 a game.”

The 37 points were the fewest allowed by the Bulldogs since a 49-36 victory over Wyoming in 2013.

Cal Poly (2-8) made just three field goals over the final 20 minutes as the Bulldogs took apart the Mustangs with a sharp edge at the defensive end.

In fact, Cal Poly’s lone field goal during that stretch was a layup off a steal with 1:15 to go.

The Mustangs started the second half 0 of 10 and with seven turnovers. It was 1 of 12 with nine turnovers when it made its second field goal in the second half.

By then, Cal Poly was well behind Fresno State (3-7), which snapped a five-game losing streak.

Nate Grimes and freshman Orlando Robinson dominating the boards at both ends of the floor for the Bulldogs.

Grimes posted a game-high 23 points to go along with 12 rebounds and three blocks. Robinson scored eight and had a career-high 15 rebounds.

The Bulldogs were plus-20 rebounding the basketball (45-25). They also had 10 steals, five by Williams.