Fresno State Athletics
Women's Basketball Heads to The Beach
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
November 9, 1998
Last Week: Sunday, Nov. 8 vs. Riverland Raiders (Exhibition) W, 72-58This Week: Friday, Nov. 13 at Long Beach State 7:30 p.m.
Next Week: Tue., Nov. 17 University of San Diego 7:00 p.m. Sun., Nov. 24 USC 12:00 p.m.
Bulldogs Victorious in Exhibition Match
The 'Dogs got off to a promising start as they defeated the Riverland Raiders of Australia, 72-58 in an exhibition match at North Gym Sunday. Junior guard Laura Paukert (Rochester, Minn./Mayo HS) led the Bulldogs in scoring with 16 points, while sophomore Amanda Baker (Porterville, Calif./Monache HS) contributed 15.The Raiders' Marian Low led all scorers with 17 points. Senior guard Jessie Farias (Puyallup, Wash./Rogers HS) had a career-high 13 assists, but it will not count in her statistics as this was an exhibition game.
'Dogs Travel to Long Beach State for Regular-Season Opener
The Bulldogs open the regular season on Friday in Long Beach against the Long Beach State 49ers. This is the 25th time these two teams have met, with Long Beach holding a 18-6 advantage. Fresno State has won three of the last five meetings, including a 80-66 victory last season in Fresno. The 49ers have split their preseason games, losing 82-65 to the Freddie Bass Players and defeating an alumni squad, 102-88. Top returnees include junior forward Kesha Wade (13 ppg, 5.1 rpg) and senior forward Tomika Cantley (9.9 ppg, 9.2 rpg). They are coached by Dallas Boychuck (4th year, 33-49) and assistants Rosa Stokes, Tuonisia Turner and Brenda Pantoja.
Schedule Change
The time for the game against Nevada on January 2, 1999 has been changed to 2 p.m. The original time was set for 7 p.m.
Meet the Team a Success
Young and old, men and women alike were out at Fashion Fair last Saturday to meet the 1998-99 Fresno State squad. Fans were able to have posters signed by all the team members and coaches and even got a chance to chat with their favorite player.
Fresno State Classic
The 1998 Fresno State Classic is set for November 27-28 in the North Gym at Fresno State. Participating teams are Wichita State, Loyola-Chicago, Southern Utah and the Bulldogs. Wichita State will take on Southern Utah at 5:30 and Fresno State will play Loyola at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday. The consolation/championship games are set for 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. respectively.
Tentative Television Schedule Set
Fresno State has eight home games set to be televised this season. As of November 9 the following eight games have been selected:
November 17 USC (FOX) 12 p.m. December 17 St, Mary's (Media One) 7 p.m. January 9 San Jose State (Media One) 7 p.m. January 21 BYU (Media One) 7 p.m. January 24 Utah (FOX) 7 p.m. February 13 New Mexico (Media One) 7 p.m. February 25 San Diego State (Media One) 7 p.m. February 27 Hawaii (Media One) 7 p.m.
Three Seniors will lead Young Squad
Returning seniors Connie Krueger, Jessie Farias and Pauline McGee will be called up on to help guide a squad that includes seven freshmen and sophomores. Krueger led the team in scoring last year with 12.3 ppg and is number two on Fresno State's all-time list for three pointers. She also holds the Fresno State single season record for three pointers and three-point attempts. Farias started all 28 games at guard last season and was second on the team in steals with 66. Last season she tied a Fresno State single game record with 12 assists. At 6-3 Pauline McGee is the tallest player on the team and will be called upon to take the spot vacated by Zanette Law. Last season McGee played in 14 games.
King Begins New Era
Head coach Britt King is set to start her first season at the helm of the Fresno State squad. Prior to her arrival at Fresno State, King was the head coach at Coppin State in Maryland for one year and head coach at the University of District Columbia for five years. In addition, King has brought on board three new assistants. Valerie Curtis is a former assistant at UDC and played at UDC under King. Misty Opat has served the past three seasons as an assistant at the University of Kansas, and Karen Wood joins the staff after serving as the head coach at Fresno City College the past two years.
Bulldogs Look to Increase the Tempo
With a new coach come a new style of play. Coach King and her staff are looking to create a more up-tempo game this season, despite a lack of height and speed on this year's squad. The 'Dogs are aiming to score at least 70 points a game this season, and fans are sure to like what they see.
Hoopsters Support Red Ribbon Week
On October 23, women's basketball players Connie Krueger, Tiffany Lewis and Porsha Boyd spoke at a Red Ribbon Week rally at Easterby Elementary School in Fresno. The student-athletes spoke about the importance of school and hard work, and how staying away from drugs is key to success in life. The women then signed autographs and posed for photos with the children.
Academic Stars
Connie Krueger, Jessie Farias and Laura Paukert were all voted to the WAC Academic All-Conference team in 1997-98 for earning at least a 3.2 GPA. The three were also WAC Scholar Athletes and Fresno State Scholar Athletes.
