Fresno State pulled off a stunning upset at the Save Mart Center, taking down Colorado State 79-69 in a non-conference matchup. The Bulldogs, ranked 147th in the nation, handed the 93rd-ranked Rams a surprising loss, one that will surely send shockwaves through the college basketball landscape. This victory is a significant one for Fresno State, as they were considered heavy underdogs coming into the game.
The first half belonged to Fresno State, as they built a 36-22 lead behind Jake Heidbreder's scorching hot shooting. Heidbreder, who finished with 23 points, set the tone early for the Bulldogs, and his teammates followed suit. DeShawn Gory added 14 points and 10 rebounds, while David Douglas Jr. chipped in with 12 points. Colorado State, on the other hand, struggled to find their rhythm, with Brandon Rechsteiner's 18 points being a rare bright spot.
The Rams made a push in the second half, outscoring Fresno State 47-43, but it was too little, too late. Rechsteiner's efforts were complemented by Carey Booth's 15 points and 9 rebounds, as well as Jevin Muniz's 12 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists. However, Fresno State's lead proved insurmountable, and they cruised to a 10-point victory.
The significance of this upset cannot be overstated. Fresno State, with a record of 9-11, was not expected to take down a team like Colorado State, which boasts a 12-8 record. This win will undoubtedly be a boost to the Bulldogs' confidence and could potentially propel them to more success in the coming weeks.
As for tournament implications, this loss will likely drop Colorado State a few notches in the rankings, while Fresno State want to build on this momentum. The Bulldogs' victory over the Rams is considered a Quadrant 3 win, which will help strengthen their resume. Conversely, Colorado State will have to swallow a Quadrant 3 loss, which may hurt their chances of securing a favorable seed in the tournament.
In the end, Fresno State's upset victory over Colorado State will be remembered as one of the biggest surprises of the season. The Bulldogs' ability to take down a team ranked significantly higher than them is a reflection of their resilience and determination. As the season wears on, this win will be a crucial part of Fresno State's tournament resume, and it will be interesting to see how they build on this momentum. For Colorado State, the loss serves as a wake-up call, and they must regroup and refocus if they hope to make a deep run in the tournament.