Final
  for this game

George leads Fresno State past Pepperdine 80-72

Dec 9, 2009 - 5:37 AM MALIBU, Calif.(AP) -- Paul George scored 24 of his career-high-tying 29 points in the second half to lead Fresno State over Pepperdine 80-72 Tuesday night.

George, who originally signed a letter of intent with Pepperdine before landing at Fresno State (4-4), had 14 points, including four 3-pointers, during a 16-2 run to open the second half. That turned a 39-36 Pepperdine halftime lead into a 52-41 Bulldog advantage with 16 minutes to go in the game.

The Waves (3-6) regained the lead at 54-52 thanks to a 13-0 run, but Fresno State's Greg Smith had three slam dunks during an 8-1 spurt that put the Bulldogs in front to stay at 60-55 with eight minutes to go.

Pepperdine's Keion Bell had team highs of 24 points and seven assists. Dane Suttle Jr. added 15 points and Mychel Thompson had 11.