Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Southern Utah<BR>(Fresno State Classic)
Women's Basketball Claims Fresno State Classic Title
11/24/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 24, 2001
FRESNO, Calif. - Behind yet another outstanding performance from Lindsay Logan, the Bulldogs defeated Southern Utah 76-66 to claim the fifth annual Fresno State Classic. The win improves FS's record to 3-0, the first time since 1996-97 the Bulldogs have won their first three games. SUU dropped to 1-3.
It marks the first time ever FS won its own tournament and continues this season's dramatic turnaround from the 2000-01 team. Last year's Bulldog squad did not win two games in a row all year, and the three-game winning streak is FS's first since the 1998-99 season.
Against the Thunderbirds, Fresno State's combination of Logan, defense and rebounding was just too much. Logan scored 28 points, grabbed four rebounds, dished out four assists, had two steals and went 5-of-11 from three-point territory. For the Sandy, Utah, native, the game had special meaning due to her familiarity with the Southern Utah squad.
"It's fun to play people you know," Logan said. "It's extremely exciting to win this tournament, and I think it should give us tremendous confidence."
In the tournament, Logan averaged 26.5 points per game and was named Most Valuable Player of the Classic for the second consecutive season.
In addition to Logan, the FS defense was also stellar. The Bulldogs held SUU to only 1-of-14 shooting from three-point territory, this coming two days after the Thunderbirds established a new school record for threes in a game with 15 against Marshall. Fresno State also outrebounded Southern Utah 44-33, including a 20-11 advantage on the offensive glass.
The Bulldogs methodically built their lead in the first half, going up by as many as 13 before settling for a nine-point advantage at the intermission. The lead was still nine with 16:05 left in the second half when a 15-7 spurt gave Fresno State a 17-point advantage. A jumper by Logan with 10 minutes left helped cap the run. SUU didn't get within 10 points until the final minute of the contest.
"We won, and that's the bottom line," said head coach Britt King. "This is a big boost to our confidence. Starting 3-0 is big for anyone's confidence. Lindsay [Logan] played very well today, which was nice because this was a special game for her being from Utah."
Fresno State also received a solid effort from Omelogo Udeze, who had 12 points and eight rebounds on her way to all-tournament honors. Aritta Lane added eight points and a game-high 12 rebounds. The Bulldogs committed as season-low 13 turnovers.
Southern Utah was led by Megan Woolston's 15 points and six rebounds. Sarah Hutton added 15 off the bench. But the Thunderbirds' three-point shooting, which led them to victory against Marshall on Thursday, let them down against the Bulldogs. FS paid particular attention to Lindsey Hille, who went 6-of-11 against the Thundering Herd. But Saturday, Hille only took two shots from three-point range, missing both.
Fresno State next takes its perfect record on the road to Haas Pavilion, where it will take on California on Wednesday at 6 p.m.
Fresno State Classic All-Tournament Team
- Omelogo Udeze, Fresno State
- Megan Woolston, Southern Utah
- Lindsey Hille, Southern Utah
- Jenny Shetters, Cal State Northridge
- Ida Dotson, Marshall
Most Valuable Player: Lindsay Logan, Fresno State
