FRESNO, Calif. – After their thrilling three-point victory at Oregon State, the Lamar University Cardinals (2-0) are in Fresno, Calif. looking to move to 3-0 for the first time since the 2008-09 season. For Big Red to stay undefeated it will have to go through a very tough Fresno State team, in a place where it doesn't lose often.
 
The Bulldogs are 1-1 (.500) on the young season. Fresno State recorded a three-point victory over UTSA in its season opener but was stunned by Prairie View A&M, 84-78, at home Monday night. The home setback is not something that Fresno State fans are accustomed to as the Bulldogs recorded a near perfect 16-2 (.889) record in the Save Mart Center last season.
 
One of the 16 Fresno victories last season came against the Cardinals. Big Red dropped an eight-point decision in what was a very competitive game. The Bulldogs had a size advantage going into that game, but that shouldn't be a problem for the Cardinals the rest of the season as their victory in Corvallis, Ore. came against an Oregon State team that had four players standing 6-10 or taller and no player shorter than 6-4.
 
The Cardinals overcame the size disadvantage with constant pressure defense. From the opening tip, the Cardinals harassed the Beaver offense forcing 27 turnovers which they converted into 30 points. LU currently leads the Southland in turnover margin (+15.0). The OSU miscues allowed the Cardinals to overcome a 28-percent shooting performance. The Cardinals held Oregon State's leading scorer – Tres Tinkle – to nine points and eight rebounds. He entered the contest averaging 23 points and 12 rebounds.
 
LU will need a similar performance against Fresno State Saturday. The Bulldogs don't turn the ball over often averaging just 14 per game. The Cardinals ability to force mistakes has allowed them to hold opponents to 53.5 points per game, a drastic improvement from the 2015-16 season that saw LU surrender 77 points per game.
 
Fresno State averages nearly 74 points and shoots better than 44 percent from the field. The Bulldogs are the best three-point shooting team the Cardinals have face this season. FSU has knocked down 34 percent of their attempts from beyond the arc. Fresno has three players averaging double figures led by Paul Watson's 19 points per game. Teammate Cullen Russo averages 17 per contest, while Jaron Hopkins has scored 13 per night in the first two games.
 
The Cardinals counter with junior Colton Weisbrod who is averaging a double-double through the first two games (15.5 points and 10 rebounds). Sophomore Josh Nzeakor is averaging 12, while classmate Nick Garth is coming off the bench to add 11 per game.
 
Saturday's game will be one of the earliest starts for the Cardinals in program history. The game will tip off at 11 a.m. (1 p.m. Beaumont time) from the Save Mart Center. It be seen live on the Mountain West Network and heard live on Newstalk 560 KLVI.
 
-LU CARDINALS-