Bulldogs, in with a chance, again, can’t close in loss to Washington at Wooden Legacy

Fresno State to this early point in the season has struggled to shoot the basketball, and take care of the basketball. But it has had chances in a losing streak that hit four games with a 62-57 loss to Washington on Wednesday at the Wooden Legacy at the Anaheim Arena, and it also has struggled to close.

That, again, is a rough combination.

The Bulldogs (1-4), with point guard Isaiah Hill sidelined with a concussion, were down five with 3:57 remaining. But they hit just 3 of their final 13 shots with one of a season-high 21 turnovers down the stretch. Not surprisingly, they were 1 of 7 from the 3-point line, and nine of their final shots were jumpers.

Fresno State went into the game hitting just 41.1% of its shots and 24.6% on threes, ranking last in the Mountain West Conference in both categories.

Center Isaih Moore hit 7 of 13 shots in leading the Bulldogs with 15 points and 13 rebounds, his second double-double of the season. But the other Bulldogs coach Justin Hutson put on the floor were a combined 16 of 48 (33.3%) including 6 of 26 from the 3-point line (23.1%).

Braxton Meah, the former Fresno State center who transferred to Washington after the 2021-22 season, scored four points and had seven rebounds in 16 minutes for the Huskies.

Next for Fresno State

Fresno State finishes the Wooden Legacy with a game against Vanderbilt on Thursday at 7 p.m. on ESPNU. In Wednesday’s late game, Saint Mary’s beat Vanderbilt 75-65.