Fresno State Athletics
Women's Basketball Plays Two on the Road
11/26/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 26, 2001
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What's Coming Up
Fresno State hits the road for the first time this year, traveling to play two games. The Bulldogs play California on Wednesday at 6 p.m., and on Saturday find themselves in Peoria, Ill., where they will play Bradley at 12:05 p.m. PST.
What Just Happened
The Bulldogs captured the fifth annual Fresno State Classic by defeating Cal State Northridge 71-65 then Southern Utah 76-66. It marks the first time FS has won its own tournament and improved its record to 3-0, the Bulldogs' best start since 1996-97.
She's Off and Running
Only three games into the season, Lindsay Logan has already shown why she is considered an All-America candidate this year. The junior guard is averaging 21.7 points and 6.3 assists per game, both team highs. She has led the Bulldogs in scoring in two of the three games, including Saturday's 28-point outburst against Southern Utah. Logan has been instrumental in guiding FS to its best start since the 1996-97 season.
It's Been a Long Time
Should Fresno State win Wednesday at California, it would be off to a 4-0 start for the first time since 1974-75, when the team went 8-7. Only six other Bulldog teams in history have started 3-0. Here's a look at how they fared:
Year Start Finish Note1971-72 5-0 10-4 First year of the program---------------------------------------------------------------------1974-75 4-0 8-7 Team lost last three games of the year---------------------------------------------------------------------1982-83 3-0 15-12 FS started 10-2 but went 5-10 down the stretch---------------------------------------------------------------------1985-86 3-0 21-9 Bulldogs advanced to WNIT, where they went 0-3---------------------------------------------------------------------1988-89 3-0 18-12 Team started 12-1 but lost seven of 11 to end season---------------------------------------------------------------------1996-97 3-0 14-13 A 3-7 finish doomed this FS squadScouting the Golden Bears
California is 2-0 this year and returns one starter and seven letterwinners from last season's 12-16 (8-10 Pac-10) team. The Golden Bears are led by Ami Forney, the leading offensive rebounder in the Pac-10 a year ago. Forney, a senior, is averaging 12.0 points and 5.5 boards per game through Cal's two games. Freshman Kiki Williams is the Bears' leading scorer at 14.5 points per game. California was selected to finish ninth in the Pac-10 in a vote of conference media. The Bears are led by Caren Horstmeyer. She is in her second year at the helm and has compiled a 14-16 record.
Fresno State All-Time vs. California
California owns a 17-5 all-time lead in the series, including a 9-1 advantage in Berkeley, Calif. Fresno State had won three in a row against the Golden Bears before Cal defeated the Bulldogs 82-66 in the North Gym in 1999. In that game, California shot 64 percent and received 17 points from Ami Forney in an 82-66 victory. It remains the best a team has shot against the Bulldogs in the Britt King era.
California Recent Action
The Bears have jumped to a 2-0 start after defeating San Diego State 74-60 then Cal Poly 71-69. But California could very easily be 1-1 if not for a miraculous comeback against the Mustangs. Down 69-53 with just 2:15 remaining in the game, the Bears went on an amazing 18-0 to finish the game, capped by Kristin Iwanaga's three-point play with 14.3 seconds to go. Cal has not shot better than 43 percent in either of its two games.
Scouting Bradley
Bradley is off to a 4-0 start, tied for the best start in the history of the program with the 1981-82 Brave squad. BU finished last year 10-17 (5-13 Missouri Valley) and returns two starters and five letterwinners from that squad. Entering this year, Bradley was tabbed to finish eighth in the Missouri Valley Conference. The Braves are led by guard Sara Bailey, who is averaging 24.5 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. The junior has scored at least 20 points in all four BU games in 2001-02. Bradley is coached by Paula Buscher. She is in her second year at the helm.
Fresno State All-Time vs. Bradley
The Bulldogs won the only game ever played in the series, that coming in 1999, a 70-60 victory. Lindsay Logan scored 17 points and added a career-high 11 assists, and Tiffany Lewis chipped in a double-double of her own, scoring 12 points and grabbing 13 rebounds. FS held Bradley to only 37 percent shooting in the contest.
Bradley Recent Action
The Braves won the Dead River Classic by defeating host Maine 84-56 and Wisconsin-Green Bay 70-63. Against the Black Bears, Sara Bailey had 22 points and the Braves outscored Maine 48-31 in the second half. In the tournament's championship game, Bailey again was spectacular, pouring in a season-high 29 while BU shot 55 percent from the floor.
Good Things Coming in Threes
Winning three games in a row isn't enough to make Fresno State head coach Britt King throw a party, but given the dearth of winning streaks for the Bulldogs in recent years, it is cause to stop and take note. Including the current run, FS has only had five winning streaks of three games five times since the 1996-97 season. The Bulldogs have not won four games in a row since the 1994-95 year.
Finally ... A Full Bench
A drastic change in this year's team will be in bench depth. Last year's roster was comprised of only nine players, and frequently the squad was pared to eight or at times even seven due to injuries. The current roster lists 15 players: five juniors, two sophomores and eight freshmen.
Using the Bench
The Bulldogs used 14 players in the Delaware State game. That is the highest number of FS players to participate since Britt King took over as head coach prior to the 1998-99 season.
Another Strong Class
For the second consecutive season, head coach Britt King has corraled a strong recruiting class. This year's group of newcomers was rated 53rd best in the nation by Women's Basketball Journal. All told, the Bulldogs signed eight players to national letters of intent. Cophie Moore (Arlington, Texas), a 5-foot 10-inch guard/forward, Joanna Barnes (Washington, D.C.), a 5-foot 10-inch two-guard, Aritta Lane (Alea, Hawaii), a 6-foot forward, Lisa Copeland (Orchard Lake, Mich.), a 5-foot 10-inch guard/forward, Veronica Mack (Phoenix, Ariz.), a 5-foot 6-inch guard, Barbara Johnson (Bakersfield, Calif.), a 6-foot 2-inch forward, Kim Holston (Washington, D.C.), a 5-foot 5-inch guard, and Lauren Stayton (Inglewood, Calif.), a 5-foot 9-inch guard, all signed to play for the Bulldogs this year. Mack, Copeland and Lane have seen the most playing time among the freshmen, but all are expected to make an impact on the hopes of this year's FS team.
Logan Back for More
Lindsay Logan was back in midseason form in the Bulldogs first two games, averaging 18.5 points and 4.5 assists per game. In addition, she committed only one turnover in the season opener against Delaware State. Logan has made 10 three-pointers in her three games this year and has now made a three in 32 consecutive games. She has also started every game in her FS career except one.
Who's Gone?
Laura Paukert was the only senior on last year's team. She started nine games, including each of the last five, and averaged 5.3 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. The only other player on the 2000-01 squad not returning is freshman Annie Fagundes, who transferred to a junior college. Fagundes played sparingly and did not score a point last season.
Six in a Row?
One of the more amazing feats accomplished by any program in the WAC is Fresno State's stranglehold on the conference rebounding title. Last year, Omelogo Udeze's 9.7 average made her the fifth consecutive Bulldog to finish atop the WAC rebounding list. She joined past Bulldogs Janee Young (1996-97, '97-98) and Tiffany Lewis (1998-99, '99-00) in the record books. Udeze's season was made even more impressive by the fact that she was the only player in the conference to average a double-double with 15.8 points and 10.9 rebounds per game. The only other WAC team to finish first in a statistical category was Colorado State, which placed players atop the field goals attempted list from 1992-98.
Junior Experience
Unlike last year's team, this season's squad is heavier on upperclassmen. While the 2000-01 edition had no juniors and only one senior, this year's squad breakdown will feature five juniors, all of whom are expected to see significant playing time. Included in those juniors are all three of the Bulldogs' all-conference selections last year - Lindsay Logan, Omelogo Udeze and Tiffany Simon. The five juniors comprised the starting lineup Saturday against Delaware State.
The Magic Number
A look at any notes about the Bulldogs the past two years have indicated one remarkable statistic. Simply put, 65 is the magic number for Fresno State. Since the 1999-00 season, the Bulldogs are 20-9 when scoring more than 65 points and 4-29 when they do not. The trend has continued in Fresno State's first three games this year, in which the 3-0 Bulldogs have scored more than 65 in each.
Difficult Stretch
With the Bulldogs off to their best start since the 1996-97 season, the upcoming stretch of non-conference games may be one of the most vital since Britt King took over three years ago. Fresno State plays California on Wednesday, FS's first road game of the year. The Bulldogs end the week with a game at Bradley. Upcoming conference opponents include Northern Arizona and Saint Mary's. Of the seven remaining non-conference opponents, three - Saint Mary's, Northern Arizona and California - have beaten Fresno State at the North Gym in the previous two seasons.
The Conference Ledger
The addition of perennial national power Louisiana Tech to the WAC will make for a demanding conference schedule. The Bulldogs and Lady Techsters will match up in the North Gym on Dec. 30, the season's second conference game. Fresno State will have the opportunity to jump out to a good start in the WAC standings by playing five of its first seven conference games in the North Gym. However, the end of the season will be challenging, with road games at Louisiana Tech and SMU followed by the WAC tournament. This marks the fourth time in the last five season the Bulldogs have wrapped up the regular season on the road.
Board Games
With six six-footers on the 2001-02 roster, Fresno State should prove to be a rebounding force. That is something that will make head coach Britt King smile. Last year, when outrebounding their opponent, the Bulldogs were 7-5. Conversely, the team was only 3-14 when it did not. Amazingly, in the WAC Tournament game against SMU, Fresno State established a new tournament record when it grabbed 58 in the loss to the Mustangs.
Garcia Back to 100 Percent
The loss of Laura Garcia was a damaging one for Fresno State last year. The starting point guard in 12 of the first 15 games, Garcia was lost for the season when she tore her posterior cruciate ligament Jan. 12 at SMU. In her absence, the Bulldogs went 5-9 with losses in six of their last eight games. At the time she went down, Garcia was averaging 7.7 points and 3.1 boards per game. It was her basket with 11.4 seconds left that gave FS a thrilling 66-62 victory at Boise State on Dec. 16. The sophomore missed 14 games during the 2000-01 season with shin splints but is back to 100 percent for the start of this year, a point she has proven by starting each of Fresno State's first three games.
Terrific Trio
Fresno State's dynamic trio of Lindsay Logan (16.9 ppg), Omelogo Udeze (13.8 ppg) and Tiffany Simon (12.8 ppg) was the most prolific in the Western Athletic Conference. Each averaged more than 12 points per game, making them the only threesome in the conference who could boast that accomplishment. Fresno State was also the only WAC team with three players ranked in the top 12 in scoring average. In addition, Udeze finished tops in field goal percentage (.533) and rebounds (9.7 per game) while Logan led the conference in several statistical categories, including assists (5.7 per game), three-pointers per game (3.1) and double-digit scoring games (27).
So Good, It's Scary
Despite being in the crosshairs of opposing defenses the entire season, first-team All-WAC selection Lindsay Logan posted eye-popping numbers last year in becoming the first Bulldog named to the All-WAC first team since the 1994-95 season. Her named dotted the conference statistical sheet in many categories. Following are those categories and where Logan rests:
Category Total PlaceAssists Avg.-------------------5.65------1stMinutes Per Game---------------37.1-----T1stDouble-Digit Scoring Games-------27------1stThree-Pters Per Game------------3.1------1stScoring Avg.-------------------16.9-----T3rdSteals Avg.--------------------1.76-----T9thHeave-Ho
In her freshman season, Lindsay Logan proved she was capable of hitting the three-pointer. In fact, Logan was so good she attempted 179, which at the time tied the FS record for threes attempted in a single season. However, last year Logan took her three-point shooting to another stratosphere. The sophomore attempted 271, eclipsing the record she tied in 1999-00 by 92. Logan drained 3.1 three-pointers per game, tops in the WAC and tied for fifth in the nation. She made at least one three-pointer in 32 consecutive games and in 55 of 61 games in her career.
It's Raining Threes
Fresno State made at least one three-pointer in each game last year, meaning they have now made at least one three-pointer in 61 consecutive games. The last time FS did not make a three in a game was March 1, 1999, a 78-48 loss to the Owls in the WAC tournament in Las Vegas. In addition, guard Lindsay Logan has made at least one three in each game during the 2000-01 season.
Simon's Tenacious D
There's more to playing basketball than scoring, and nobody proves that point more than guard Tiffany Simon. Although she has scored only two points in 2001-02, the junior has been one of the team's most important players due to her suffocating defense. She has guarded the team's top perimeter player in each of Fresno State's three games and has been a key component in holding FS's opponents to a .360 field goal percentage this year. Simon was a WAC All-Defensive pick last year.
Bulldogs Picked Sixth in WAC Preseason Poll
Fresno State was picked to finish sixth by conference coaches in the WAC preseason poll. Conference newcomer Louisiana Tech received nine of 10 first place votes and was voted as the favorite to win the conference title. Hawai'i and SMU were second and third, respectively. Lindsay Logan and Omelogo Udeze were both selected to the preseason All-WAC first team. Following is the preseason poll and All-WAC teams:
WAC PRESEASON POLLNo Team Votes 1. Louisiana Tech (9)-----81 2. Hawai'I (1)------------69 3. SMU--------------------63 4. Nevada-----------------56 5. Rice-------------------53 6. Fresno State-----------39 7. Tulsa------------------35 8. Boise State------------199T. San Jose State---------179T. UTEP-------------------17
PRESEASON ALL-WAC TEAMSFirst Team
- Lindsay Logan, Fresno State
- Omelogo Udeze, Fresno State
- Ayanna Walker, Louisiana Tech
- Takeisha Lewis, Louisiana Tech
- Kate Smith, Nevada
Second Team
- Kaci Alexander, SMU
- Atari Parker, San Jose State
- Andrea Cossey, SMU
- Daneesh McIntosh, Rice
- Crista Peterson, Boise State
Bulldogs by the Notes
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Ayanna Walker, Louisiana Tech
- Fresno State's is off to its first 3-0 start since the 1996-97 season. Should the Bulldogs win Wednesday at California, they will be 4-0 for the first time since 1974-75.
- The combined field goal percentage of FS's three opponents is .360.
- The Bulldogs have committed less than 20 turnovers in each game this year.
- Fresno State has made a three-pointer in all three of its game in 2001-02, running its consecutive three-pointer streak to 61.
- The Bulldogs victory in the Fresno State Classic was the first time they have ever won their own tournament in its five-year history.
- Lindsay Logan racked up her sixth career double-double against Delaware State by scoring 12 points and dishing out 10 assists. She committed only one turnover in the victory.
- Logan has made a three-pointer in 32 consecutive games and in 55 of 61 career contests.
- Laura Garcia has an assist-to-turnover ratio of 11-6 this year. She has started at point guard in all three FS games.
- Omelogo Udeze is 3-for-4 from three-point territory this year.
- Aritta Lane has two double-digit rebound games this year. She had a career-high 15 against Delaware State and added 12 against Southern Utah.
- FS has won its three games despite getting outrebounded in two of the three contests.
- Fresno State's 2001-02 roster features eight freshmen, two sophomores and five juniors.
- The Bulldogs are 18-13 in the North Gym since the 1999-00 season.
- Fresno State plays its first three games in the North Gym before hitting the road for five of the next seven. Included in that stretch are games against California, Northern Arizona and Saint Mary's, teams that have defeated the Bulldogs in Fresno over the last two years.
- Fourteen players participated in the 71-49 victory over Delaware State, with nine logging more than 10 minutes.
- The victory over Delaware State was Fresno State's third in a row in a season opener.
- The Bulldogs outrebounded Southern Utah 44-33 in their victory over the Thunderbirds, including a 20-11 on the offensive glass.
