Take three on Fresno State victory over San Jose State: New Williams ties school 3-point record

The Fresno State Bulldogs men’s basketball team shot its way out of a three-game losing streak with senior guard New Williams knocking down a school- and Mountain West Conference-record tying 10 3-point shots in a 79-64 victory over San Jose State on Saturday at the Save Mart Center.

Williams had hit just 3 of 14 shots from the 3-point line over the past three games, but against the Spartans was 10 of 20 and 10 of 18 from three in scoring 32 points with three rebounds, four assists and two steals.

Here are three takeaways from the game …

SHREDDING THE GAME PLAN

The Spartans were double-teaming Jarred Hyder off pick-and-rolls and doubling Orlando Robinson when he got a touch around the basket, but they couldn’t reasonably have expected Williams to eviscerate their game plan with such ease.

The Bulldogs’ senior guard came in having hit 23 of 78 shots from the 3-point line, just 29.5%. He had not made back-to-back shots of any type since a layup and a three in the second half of a loss to San Francisco on Dec. 23.

But Williams at one point in the second half knocked down five threes in a row and in the second half alone was 7 of 11. His career-high for threes in a game was six, against Wyoming last season and IUPUI this season.

The 10 threes tied the school record set by Braxton Huggins against San Jose State last season. The conference record was set by by Boise State guard Jeff Elorriagat against Corban in 2012 and matched by New Mexico guard Kendall Williams at Colorado State in 2013.

“It didn’t hit me until later when I got into one of the huddles and one of the guys said it, ‘Oh, you’re tied,’” Williams said. “I didn’t know. My guys found me out there and I was able to take advantage of some of those opportunities.”

The 10 threes was one off the national lead this season set just before the Bulldogs took the floor – Louisiana-Monroe guard Michael Ertel had 11 threes in a 69-49 victory over South Alabama.

It also was more than the Bulldogs as a team had made in nine of their first 14 games.

The Bulldogs kept finding Williams, more often than not wide open.

Hyder had six assists, four coming on Williams’ threes. Robinson had four assists, two coming on Williams’ threes. Anthony Holland had four assists, one coming on a Williams’ three. Mustafa Lawrence and Aguir Agau both had one assist, both coming on a Williams’ three.

The Bulldogs and Spartans were tied at 28 at halftime, then Fresno State blasted away with their most efficient half this season.

They scored 51 points, hitting 17 of 28 shots (60.7%) including 9 of 16 from the 3-point line (56.3%) and had 13 assists on 17 field goals.

“We took good shots and we took care of the ball,” coach Justin Hutson said. “I mean, you look and see we had nine turnovers on the day and 20 assists. Obviously, New making threes is always a big difference and them doubling (Robinson) inside is always a big difference.

“Without that, it doesn’t matter what we run. The players made big plays and made big shots tonight.”

CAMPBELL TO BE CLEARED

The Bulldogs are expected to have guard Jordan Campbell available to play on Tuesday at New Mexico.

It is a bit overdue.

Campbell, a mid-year transfer from Oregon State, is one of three mid-year transfers in the Mountain West Conference along with guard Vante Hendrix at New Mexico and forward Abu Kigab at Boise State.

Hendrix made his debut on Dec. 17, Kigab on Dec. 22.

Across Division I, there are at least 21 mid-year transfers who have been cleared to play and been in games.

Campbell will require more adjustment for a team that has been dealing with injuries all season – senior point guard Noah Blackwell (knee), senior forward Nate Grimes (wrist), sophomore Chris Seeley (upper body) and freshman guard Niven Hart (upper body) were out against San Jose State.

“You get guys in, you get guys out,” Hutson said. “Aside from feeling sorry for our guys that are hurt and empathizing with them, the toughest part is being able to maintain a consistent flow with what you’re trying to do.

“They’re all younger guys, too. You really have to try to keep it simple and that’s what we’ll try to do with Jordan.”

ROBINSON THRIVING IN THE POST

Williams’ 32 points obviously stands out, but the development of Robinson at the offensive end is large for the Bulldogs going forward.

The 6-foot-10 freshman hit 9 of 17 shots in scoring 23 points in the victory over San Jose State, had 14 rebounds including five at the offensive end as well as four assists with just one turnover in 39 minutes.

It was his second career double-double and third game with 20 or more points over the Bulldogs’ past four games.

His last six baskets came at the rim, working down low.

“Now that I see that I can make plays in the post I understand that teams will have to change how they play so I’ve made it a priority to know how to get out of the double and make good passes,” he said.

Robinson was in foul trouble in the Bulldogs’ loss at San Diego State, but over the past four games he has hit 31 of 54 shots (57.4%) and is averaging 21.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 6.8 free throw attempts.

This story was originally published January 4, 2020 at 8:47 PM.