Tyler Johnson Is Fresno State Bulldogs’ Go-To Scorer

TJ FS

Christopher Hanewinckel- USA TODAY Sports

Teams will always bring their ‘A’ game against teams like the 10th-ranked San Diego Aztecs in Mountain West Conference play, and the Fresno State Bulldogs did just that.

Specifically, it was senior guard Tyler Johnson who brought his ‘A’ game. Johnson had a team-high 24 points and 11 rebounds, which is impressive for a 6-foot-4-inch guard. His double-double performance kept the game closer than the Aztecs would have liked.

Besides Johnson, the Bulldogs do not have much from an offensive perspective. He almost scored half of the team’s 60 points in the 68-60 loss to the Aztecs. Keep in mind, however, that the Aztecs’ defense is one of the best in the country, surrendering just 56 points per game on the season.

The Bulldogs need to find someone else to shoulder some of the load. Marvelle Harris was the only other Bulldog in double figures, scoring just 11 points on 3-of-12 shooting. With Johnson as the go-to scorer, the Bulldogs need to capitalize on open looks and knock down 3-point jumpers. Fresno State only made four 3-pointers aside from Johnson’s three on the night, shooting 7-of-22 as a team.

If the Bulldogs want to have any chance at competing in the Mountain West Conference, they have to find another way to score. It might work against the Air Force Falcons (their lone conference win) but it will not work against the Aztecs, the Boise State Broncos, the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels or the New Mexico Lobos.

John Lloyd is a Pac-12 Basketball Writer for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @JohnHLloydIII

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