Take three on Fresno State loss to UC Riverside: How the Bulldogs blew a 20-point lead
The Fresno State Bulldogs were up by 20 points with 9:42 to go and had been solid at the defensive end. They had freshman Orlando Robinson on his way to a career-high 27 points.
Then, it all fell apart in a 60-57 men’s basketball loss to UC Riverside on Saturday night at the Save Mart Center.
It was the sixth loss this season by six points or less, and fourth loss by three points or less for the Bulldogs (4-9).
Here are three takeaways from the game …
WHAT THE HECK HAPPENED?
The Highlanders (9-5) ended the game on a 25-2 run, but it might have been the two that was more problematic than the 25.
Nate Grimes scored off an assist by New Williams with 9:42 to go, giving the Bulldogs a 55-35 lead. But their final 17 possessions went like this …
Turnover, turnover, turnover, turnover, missed shot …
Missed shot, turnover, missed three, turnover, missed shot …
Missed three, 1 of 2 from the line, missed shot, missed three, 1 of 2 from the line …
Missed shot, missed three …
That’s six turnovers, 0 of 9 from the field, including 0 of 4 from behind the arc, and 2 of 4 from the free-throw line.
“It’s interesting,” coach Justin Hutson said. “We won a lot of close games last year. We had guys with the ball in their hands that were experienced fifth-year guys. This year, when you lose a couple of point guards, you’re trying to do different things.
“You’re trying to play through Orlando a little bit. You’re trying to get New (Williams) off the baseline, which he’s good at, get him an open look. You’re trying to survive out there, get the ball from side to side. When teams turn up the heat that’s usually when you have a guy that gets into the paint and makes a good decision. That’s what we were trying to do …”
The Bulldogs had good success with that through the first 30 minutes, but it all went away when UC Riverside made its run back into the game.
“They start pressuring and now you’re making our guys make decisions,” Hutson said. “We’ve got to make good decisions out there. It’s almost like they’re desperate. We’re 16 up with eight to go and now the team is going to start pressuring, so now it’s relying on making good decisions.
“They’re going to take away passes. They’re not going to let you get the ball to certain people and they’re going to be desperate. That’s the time you can knock somebody out, if you can spread the floor and cut when you’re not open and drive in and jump stop, find the open man or get to the basket and get a foul, now you can knock them out. But when you panic in those situations or you make unforced errors, it hurts.”
THIS CAN’T BE IGNORED
UC Riverside made its comeback behind forward Arinze Chidom, who scored 25 points with 10 rebounds including five at the offensive end.
Chidom, who was playing his third game of the season with the Highlanders after suiting up for Washington State last season, is a mid-year transfer.
Fresno State, meanwhile, hasn’t made its own mid-year transfer available.
The Bulldogs still do not have guard Jordan Campbell, one of three mid-year transfers in the Mountain West Conference and the only one who has not played.
While the university continues to putter along in suspended animation, guard Vante Hendrix made his debut at New Mexico on Dec. 17 and forward Abu Kigab played in his first game for Boise State on Dec. 22.
In addition, there are at least 21 mid-year transfers across Division I who have been cleared and have played in games this month.
Hendrix and Kigab have made immediate impacts for the Lobos and Broncos.
Campbell figures to be a key piece for the Bulldogs when his fall semester grades are posted and his eligibility is certified.
Kigab scored 33 points with 11 rebounds on Saturday in a 103-72 victory over Cal State Northridge, his second double-double in a row.
Obviously, Chidom has been large for UC Riverside.
The Bulldogs return to Mountain West play Wednesday at San Diego State, then play San Jose State on Saturday back at the Save Mart Center and Jan. 7 at New Mexico.
HYDER RETURN, BLACKWELL STILL OUT
The Bulldogs had freshman Jarred Hyder back on the floor after he missed the past three games with a knee injury.
There was some rust, which was obvious down the stretch.
Hutson’s targeted playing time for Hyder was 15 minutes. The freshman ended up playing 16 minutes, taking just one shot with two assists but five turnovers.
Three of those five turnovers came in a span of 3:11 in that final stretch.
“He was a warrior out there,” Hutson said. “He played hard. He did a lot of good things. A little bit of rust. We have to get him back where he’s comfortable.”
Hyder had played in eight games, averaging 12 points and 33.9 minutes per game prior to his injury.
The points and minutes were the second-highest on the team behind senior point guard Noah Blackwell (34.2 mpg), who missed his fifth straight game with a right knee injury.
Details
Next: Fresno State (4-9, 0-2 Mountain West) at No. 15 San Diego State (13-0, 2-0), noon New Year’s Day
TV: Stadium (only on Facebook)
Robert Kuwada @rkuwada
This story was originally published December 28, 2019 at 10:21 PM.