Fresno State used a superb shooting performance to beat Siena on Wednesday night to force a decisive game three in the CBI championship series. It will be played Saturday at 11:30 a.m. at the ARC.

The Bulldogs shot 64 percent from the floor for the evening, including 76 percent in the first half, in the 89-75 win.

Siena got 20 points from Brett Bisping and 14 from Marquis Wright in the loss. Siena is now 19-18.

My Observations:

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Siena student section (Photo by Brady Farkas)
Siena student section (Photo by Brady Farkas)
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All in all, it was a great night for Siena College. The ARC was absolutely packed to the brim. There was a boisterous student section. It was easy for the students to get to the game, and they showed out in full force. It was a great environment to be a part of, and the Saints definitely fed off of it.

-Siena really didn’t have a chance. If a team is going to shoot 64 percent, they deserve to win. Siena contested shots and held its own on the glass, but the Bulldogs just had that kind of night.

-The Saints forced the Bulldogs into 15 turnovers, mostly using a stifling trap in the second half. The Saints were already down nearly 20, but were able to cut it to 13 under 10 to play. That trap was very effective, I wonder if they’ll use it earlier in game three.

-Siena is really physical – and really gritty. The Saints aren’t just a small conference pushover for the opponent from the bigger Mountain West. Things got chippy and the Saints responded. Brett Bisping was right in the center of it in the second half when he was on the receiving end of a flagrant foul from Alex Davis.

-Ryan Oliver is really coming along off the bench. The reserve guard gave 22 more good minutes and scored eight points. He’s also a threat from deep, as he hit two threes.

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