Dec. 4, 2001

Box Score

With the memory of consecutive losses to USF the past two years and the return of suspended center Melvin Ely, 16th-ranked Fresno State was motivated and showed it in a 75-65 win over USF Tuesday night at Fresno's sold out Selland Arena.

Ely scored 22 points to pace the Bulldogs, while Chris Jeffries added 18. USF was paced by 22 by Darrell Tucker and 20 by Fresno native Shamell Stallworth.

Fresno State led by 15 at the half, but the Dons made a run at the Bulldogs, paced by Shamell Stallworth and closed the lead to six (53-47) with 11:51 to play. But the Dons had to play much of the second half without both Tucker and Hondre Brewer who each had four fouls. Brewer would eventually foul out.

The Bulldogs did much of their second half damage from the free-throw line where they nailed 15 of 23 free-throws while USF shot just six of seven. Sophomore forward John Cox recorded a double-double for USF with a career high 12 rebounds and 12 points.

Fresno State (7-1) was lifted by the return of center Melvin Ely, who missed the Bulldogs last two games after he was suspended while an NCAA investigation took place. At 3:00 p.m. tonight he was reinstated and he hurt the Dons with 12 points in the first half.

The Dons (1-5), who host Hayward State Saturday night, actually got off to a strong start and the score was tied at 21-all with 7:03 remaining. But Fresno State dominated the rest of the half, outscoring USF 20-5, outrebounding them 10-3, and making 8 of 12 shots over the final seven minutes. The Dons made just two of their last nine attempts in the period, both by Tucker. The loss was USF's fourth straight.

The Dons dominated the glass early, with a 14-7 margin, but after the Bulldogs' surge, the rebounds were 17-17 at the half.