San Diego St defeats Fresno St 71-52
San Diego St Dominates Fresno St in Conference Thriller
The Aztecs' home court proved to be the difference maker as they cruised to an 19-point victory over visiting Fresno State, 71-52, in a highly competitive conference matchup at Viejas Arena on Monday night.
The game was a tightly contested affair from the opening tip, with both teams trading baskets and playing tenacious defense. However, San Diego St's offense began to click in the second half, using their size and depth to outmuscle Fresno State's smaller lineup. The Aztecs' big men, led by senior center Isaiah Pinegar, controlled the paint, scoring 38 points for the home team.
Fresno State, on the other hand, struggled to find its rhythm on offense, shooting just 31% from the field and 28% from three-point range. The Bulldogs' inability to score consistently allowed San Diego St to build a significant lead in the second half, which ultimately proved insurmountable.
Game Flow
The turning point came at halftime, when San Diego St's coach, Brian Dutcher, made some adjustments that paid off in the second half. The Aztecs' bench played a crucial role in the game, providing key scoring punch and defensive pressure down the stretch. Fresno State's inability to contain San Diego St's shooters, particularly senior guard Jalen Reese, allowed the Aztecs to build their lead.
Top Performer
Isaiah Pinegar was the dominant force for San Diego St, scoring 16 points and grabbing 11 rebounds in a key performance that showcased his size and strength. Pinegar's ability to score in the paint and draw fouls made him nearly unstoppable at times, and he was rewarded with an impressive stat line.
Key Stats
* San Diego St (HOME): 28/70 FG, 22/41 2PT, 6/29 3PT, 9/12 FT
* Fresno State (AWAY): 18/59 FG, 9/27 2PT, 9/32 3PT, 7/7 FT
The advanced statistics paint a similar picture. San Diego St's eFG% was an impressive 44.3%, while Fresno State's was just 38.1%. The Aztecs also outrebounded their opponents by 13, which proved crucial in the paint.
Advanced Stats
* San Diego St (HOME):
+ eFG%: 44.3%
+ FT Rate: 17.1%
+ OREB%: 27.1%
+ TO Ratio: 14.9%
+ True Shooting%: 47.2%
* Fresno State (AWAY):
+ eFG%: 38.1%
+ FT Rate: 11.9%
+ OREB%: 14.3%
+ TO Ratio: 23.3%
+ True Shooting%: 41.9%
The win marks San Diego St's third consecutive victory over Fresno State, and it moves the Aztecs to 12-5 overall on the season. The Bulldogs fall to 8-7, however, and will look to bounce back in their next conference matchup.