Colorado State fends off Fresno State 81-73, sweeps series

FRESNO, Calif. -- Daniel Bejarano scored 20 points and J.J. Avila added 16 before fouling out as Colorado State opened the second half with a surge to beat Fresno State 81-73 Wednesday night.

Avila stole the ball from Fresno State's Cezar Guerrero just as the second half began and raced for a fast break layup, sparking a 6-2 run, extending its slim halftime lead to 43-34.

Joe De Ciman added 14 points for Colorado State (22-5, 9-5 Mountain West), including a key 3-pointer late in the game, and Stanton Kidd added 11 points.

Fresno State (12-14, 7-6) kept threatening. Guerrero swept in for a layup and was fouled by Avila, his fifth. Guerrero also made the free throw. He finished with 20 points. Marvelle Harris and Julien Lewis added 14 each.

Fresno State added a patch to its jerseys in memory of Jerry Tarkanian, who died Feb. 11. An alum, Tarkanian ended his career at Fresno State in 2002.