Aggies can't finish comeback in loss

FRESNO, Calif. — Fresno State looked to have the game well in hand with three minutes left in the second overtime and up 10, but it took a 3-pointer by Ja'Vance Coleman with time expiring to nail down the win, 99-96, over Utah State Saturday.

Utah State's Jaycee Carroll drilled a 3-pointer and David Pak, who scored a career-high 22 points, added back-to-back 3-pointers to cut the lead to three points with 1:16 left.

Nate Harris, who finished with a career-high 33 points, added five of the Aggies' next six points, including a 3-pointer to tie the score at 96-96 with 16.3 seconds left before Coleman drilled the game-winner.

"Unbelievable," Fresno State coach Steve Cleveland said.

Pak had a half-court shot that fell short at the buzzer.

The Aggies had the chance to win the game at the end of regulation, but Cass Matheus missed the front end of a one-and-one with .8 seconds left.

"It was a great college basketball game," Utah State coach Stew Morrill said. "You can look at so many things and with one little deal you win, that's what's tough. We showed some character and made some shots. We executed."

The Aggies were outrebounded 10-2 in the first overtime (five of which were offensive). Pak knocked down a 3-pointer with 13 seconds left in the first overtime, but Quinton Hosley, who finished with 25 points, had a put-back dunk, which proved to force the game into the decisive second overtime.

Harris had a 35-foot 3-point attempt to win it in the first overtime.

Utah State shot 48.8 percent from the field — 13 of 33 from the 3-point line, while Fresno State shot 44.4 percent.

With the win the Aggies fall to 9-4 overall and 1-2 in league play, while the Bulldogs are 8-4 and 1-0 in Western Athletic Conference play.

"There were big baskets made by both teams in the overtime," Cleveland said.

There were 16 ties and 14 lead changes in regulation.

Harris, whose previous high was 27 points scored against BYU earlier in the year, was 8 of 10 shooting in the first half, for 18 points.

He scored just four points in the second half (10 of 16) before exploding for 11 points in the two overtimes.