The Fresno State Bulldogs had a long practice on Tuesday, preparing for a game on Thursday at Pacific and trying put behind them a nasty habit that has hurt them at the start of games.

''The first eight to 10 possessions, those are critical possessions,'' Coach Rodney Terry said. ''If you don't execute and you throw a couple of those possessions away, you're chasing those points at the end of the game. That's what we've done at times.''

The Bulldogs were able to do that successfully in the victory at Arizona State, their first win on the road this season. Fresno State trailed by as many as 17 points in the first half, cutting to lead down to 12 by halftime and then winning the basketball game down the stretch.

But execution at the offensive and defensive ends remains a priority, and Terry is hoping the win at Arizona State serves as a turning point.

''I like to think we could build a little momentum from that,'' he said. ''We've had comebacks and not finished. They finally got a chance to finish one, which is huge and hopefully something we can build on because we're going to be in possession games like that all year.''