Fresno Bee

[50's PONY]

Surprise starter at center


By Bryant-Jon Anteola / The Fresno Bee

(Updated Sunday, February 6, 2005, 7:12 AM)


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Fresno State men's basketball captain Mustafa Al-Sayyad was held out of the starting lineup Saturday in the Bulldogs' 71-70 victory over Southern Methodist at the Save Mart Center.

Fresno State coach Ray Lopes said Al-Sayyad showed up late to a Friday night scouting report meeting.

"That was a discipline thing," Lopes said. "Moose has been with me for three years. I think that was first time in three years Moose has been late for anything."

Senior Jack Marlow started in Al-Sayyad's place, surprising many when the starting lineup was introduced. Upon hearing 'center,' fans began to chant "Moose" only to hear Marlow's name.

Al-Sayyad entered the game for Marlow with 17:05 left in the first half and played 27 minutes. He attempted only two shots, made both, and finished with four points, nine rebounds and two blocks in battling SMU's front line of Patrick Simpson and Eric Castro.

Marlow never reentered the game and finished 0 for 2, with no points or rebounds and one turnover.

Millionth fan

Georgann Cline of Fresno was the Save Mart Center's millionth guest. Cline, a season-ticket holder, was awarded two tickets for all Save Mart Center events, including concerts, over the next year.

One hero, one goat

Two star players who often are compared to one another found themselves on the opposite side of glory.

Fresno State's Ja'Vance Coleman, playing one day after attending his grandmother's funeral, delivered.

SMU guard Bryan Hopkins, battling a nagging wrist injury, didn't.

Coleman double-pumped a shot that rolled into the basket with 3seconds left, proving to be the winning basket.

"My team is confident with me taking those shots," Coleman said. "With the clock down, they want me to take the shot, and I'm real comfortable in taking it."

Hopkins wasn't as fortunate.

Bothered by a right wrist injury, Hopkins missed a 15-foot fadeaway jumper with 32seconds left that would have put SMU ahead by three.

Coaches vs. Cancer

Both the SMU and Fresno State coaching staffs wore sneakers, joining college basketball coaches across the country who also left their dress shoes at home to show support for the Coaches vs. Cancer cause. Coaches vs. Cancer has generated more than $23million in direct support for the American Cancer Society.

Football team honored

Fresno mayor Alan Autry introduced several members of the Fresno State football team at halftime and proclaimed Feb. 5 Bulldogs Day for their win over Virginia in the MPC Computers Bowl in December.

Autry called the Bulldogs' victory one of the biggest upsets ever. Fresno State coach Pat Hill later corrected the mayor in front of all the fans.

"First off, it wasn't an upset," Hill said. "This university doesn't have to take a back seat to anybody."