Fresno State-Air Force game postponed due to COVID-19 concerns in Bulldogs program

The Mountain West men’s basketball game between Fresno State and Air Force at the Save Mart Center on New Year’s Day has been postponed due to COVID-19 concerns in the Bulldogs program, the latest in a growing list of games in the conference and across the country impacted by the pandemic.

The Bulldogs (10-4), who were hit by COVID-19 pauses twice last season, do not have the required number of players available to play the game, though according to an athletics department source most are out due to close contact protocols. Fresno State also has two players out with injuries, guards Jemarl Baker and Destin Whitaker.

Forward Anthony Holland did not play in the Bulldogs’ 65-55 conference-opening loss at Boise State on Tuesday due to health and safety protocols.

The Bulldogs’ next game Wednesday at San Diego State has not yet been postponed, but it could be in jeopardy, as well. The next game on the schedule is Jan. 8 against Wyoming at the Save Mart Center.

In the Mountain West, San Jose State had its first three conference games postponed, against Nevada, at Utah State and against UNLV. Colorado State, which is 10-0, had its first conference game at New Mexico postponed due to COVID-19 issues in the Rams program.

A women’s game between San Jose State and New Mexico also has been postponed.

Under the conference’s adjusted COVID-19 game cancellation policy for men’s and women’s basketball, a minimum of seven student-athletes and one countable coach must be available for a school to play a game. Also, if a game cannot be played due to one or both teams’ inability to participate related specifically to COVID-19 issues, an effort will be made to reschedule the game. If it cannot be rescheduled, it shall be canceled and declared a no contest.

If a team has a requisite number of players and chooses not to play the game shall be canceled and declared a forfeit, with a loss to the team that opts not to play and a win for the scheduled opponent in the conference standings and determining seeding for the Mountain West Tournament in March.

Bulldogs women win shorthanded

The Fresno State women’s basketball team (5-8, 1-1) beat San Diego State 73-67 on New Year’s Eve. The Bulldogs had seven players available because of health and safety protocols.

Haley Cavinder scored 24 points, Hanna Cavinder scored 20 and Wytalla Motta scored a career-high 17, San Joaquin Memorial High product Aunjona James had eight points and three rebounds in 29 minutes; she saw her first action of the season Tuesday as she recovers from a knee injury.

This story was originally published December 31, 2021 at 6:38 PM.