Can Fresno State Rebound at Save Mart Center Against UNLV?
As the Fresno State Bulldogs prepare to host the UNLV Runnin' Rebels at the Save Mart Center, fans are eager to see if their team can turn around a recent string of challenging performances. The Bulldogs have shown a mix of resilience and vulnerability in their past few outings, which could make for an unpredictable clash against UNLV.
In their last game against San Francisco, the Bulldogs struggled defensively, allowing 77 points and failing to contain their opponents' three-point barrage, which saw San Francisco hitting an impressive 52 percent from beyond the arc. This defensive lapse was compounded by a turnover issue; Fresno State gave up possession 18 times leading to 20 points off turnovers for San Francisco.
However, there were some positives in that game as well. The Bulldogs managed to shoot efficiently from two-point range with a success rate of 63 percent and scored 30 points in the paint. They'll need to capitalize on these strengths while shoring up their perimeter defense if they hope to fare better against UNLV.
In another recent matchup with Portland State, despite pushing into overtime, Fresno State fell short by just three points. Their two-point field goal percentage remained strong at 52 percent and they outscored Portland State in fast break points and points in the paint. Yet turnovers continued to plague them with thirteen instances leading to lost opportunities.
Against Cal State Bakersfield earlier this season at home – where they will face UNLV – Fresno showed tenacity on both ends of the floor. They won by securing more rebounds (26) than Bakersfield (23) and maintaining better shooting accuracy from both two-point range (68 percent) and overall field goals (49 percent). This performance should give them confidence going into their next home game.
The upcoming match promises excitement as fans anticipate whether Fresno can leverage its home-court advantage at Save Mart Center while addressing its defensive challenges and turnover woes.
The showdown is scheduled for February 15th at 4:00 AM UTC (February 14th local time), with coverage provided nationally on CBS Sports Network channel 221 for those who wish to tune in or stream live as these two teams battle it out on court.