Fresno State Athletics
Women's Basketball Plays Northern Arizona
12/4/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 4, 2001
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What's Coming Up
Fresno State tries to rebound this week by hosting Cal State Fullerton and traveling to play Northern Arizona. The Bulldogs take on the Titans on Monday at 7 p.m. in the North Gym and play NAU on Saturday at 6:05 p.m. PST in Flagstaf, Ariz.
What Just Happened
The Bulldogs dropped both of their games last week, falling on the road to California 62-55 and to Bradley 80-62. Against the Bears, Fresno State came back from a 20-point first half deficit to take a second half lead, but Cal ran away late for a seven-point win. In the loss to BU, cold shooting to start the second half doomed the Bulldogs. FS made only four of its first 17 shots coming out of the locker room.
She's Off and Running
Only five games into the season, Lindsay Logan has already shown why she is considered an All-America candidate this year. The junior guard is averaging 18.4 points per game, tops on the team. She has led the Bulldogs in scoring in three games, including Saturday's 19-point effort against Bradley. Logan was instrumental in helping Fresno State to win in its first three games for the first time since 1996-97. She is also only 94 points away from 1,000 in her career.
Driving the Lane
Freshman Aritta Lane has been superb for Fresno State through the first five games. She is currently averaging a double-double at 11.6 points and 11.0 rebounds per game and has been Fresno State's leading rebounder every game. A strong post player who's soft touch is matched by her tenacity on the glass, Lane nearly helped lead a comeback from a 20-point first half deficit last week at California by scoring a team-high 13 points and grabbing eight rebounds. She received her first start against Bradley, scoring 13 points and grabbing 12 rebounds.
Scouting the Titans
Cal State Fullerton is 1-2 this season, quite an accomplishment considering the Titans had only one win all of last year in struggling to a 1-27 record. But there is reason for optimism this year with the arrival of Tricia Lamb, who transferred to Cal State Fullerton from Washington State after being named to the Pac-10 Freshman team in 1997-98. The senior averaged 12.2 points per game in her WSU career and leads CSF with an 11.3 average. Barbara Ehardt is the coach of CSF. She is 2-29 and in her second year at the helm.
Fresno State All-Time vs. Cal State Fullerton
The Titans lead the all-time series 18-8, although Fresno State has won the last three meetings, including 83-79 in the most recent meeting in 1997. Five of the Bulldogs' eight victories against Cal State Fullerton have come in Fresno.
Cal State Fullerton Recent Action
The Titans haven't played since Nov. 23, when they matched their victory total for all of last year with a 64-59 victory over Morgan State. Heather Hansen had a big night in the win, scoring 20 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. The Titans defense also forced 23 turnovers. Prior to the Morgan State victory, CSF lost to San Jose State 66-54, with Tricia Lamb leading the team with 17 points. The Titans shot only 37 percent in the loss.
Scouting the Lumberjacks
Northern Arizona is 5-1 this year and returns nine letterwinners and four starters from last season's 13-17 team. The Lumberjacks started the season with five wins in a row before falling at Indiana on Saturday. They are led by sophomore center Lynsie Blau, who is averaging 10.3 points and 7.5 rebounds. Junior guard Joy Dixon is the other NAU player averaging double figures at 10.2. At nearly 7,000 feet, Flagstaff, Ariz., will be the highest altitude at which Fresno State has played since traveling to Wyoming at the end of the 1997-98 season. The Lumberjacks are coached by Meg Sanders, an assistant at Fresno State from 1989-93. She is in her sixth season at the helm and has posted a 77-66 record. NAU has proven tough to beat at home this year, winning each of the four games it has hosted.
Fresno State All-Time vs. Northern Arizona
The Lumberjacks lead the all-time series 2-1, including victories in the last two games. Fresno State and NAU met last year at Selland Arena, a 57-52 Northern Arizona victory. In that game, Fresno State received 19 points from Omelogo Udeze and 14 from Lindsay Logan but shot only 39 percent in the contest. NAU had three players in double figures and hit on 49 percent of its attempts.
Northern Arizona Recent Action
The Lumberjacks went 1-1 in last weekend's Holiday Inn/Fazoli's Classic in Bloomington, Ind. In the opening game of the tournament, Northern Arizona defeated Murray State 63-59 behind 13 points from Joy Dixon. Lindsey Foster added 12 points and seven assists. In the championship game, NAU lost to Indiana 61-56, shooting only 35 percent in the loss. Lynsie Blau and Joy Dixon were named to the all-tournament team.
Good Things Coming in Threes
Fresno State jumped out to a 3-0 start to this season, its fastest start since the 1996-97 season. In fact, the Bulldogs' three-game winning streak was only the team's fifth since the 96-97 season. FS has not won four in a row since 1994-95.
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 most FS players to participate in a contest 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, Barnes, 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.
Stifling Defense
Fresno State has tightened the clamps on its opponents so far this season. The Bulldogs are allowing the opposition to hit on only 39 percent of their field goal attempts, and only Bradley has shot over 40 percent from the floor in a game. The FS defense has also extended beyond the arc - three of its opponents have made only one three-pointer in an entire game. Fresno State is allowing 64.4 points per game.
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 4-31 when they do not. The trend has continued in Fresno State's first five games this year, in which the Bulldogs are 3-0 when scoring more than 65 and 0-2 when they don't.
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 played California on Wednesday, FS's first road game of the year. The Bulldogs wrapped up their latest road swing with a loss to Bradley on Saturday. Upcoming conference opponents include Northern Arizona and Saint Mary's. Of the six remaining non-conference opponents, two - Saint Mary's and Northern Arizona - 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. So far this season, Fresno State is 2-1 when outrebounding its opponent and 1-1 when it does not. On an individual rebounding note, Aritta Lane currently leads the WAC with an 11.0 average.
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 game this season and averaging 5.4 points and 4.0 assists.
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. 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 has made at least one three-pointer in 34 consecutive games and in 57 of 63 games in her career. This year, her 14 three-pointers made ranks first in the conference.
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 63 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 is only averaging 2.8 points per game 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 .390 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
- Lindsay Logan has been Fresno State's leading scorer in three of five games this year.
- Logan has one double-double this year. It came in the season opener against Delaware State.
- Logan has made a three-pointer in 34 consecutive games and in 57 of 63 career contests.
- Aritta Lane has two double-doubles this year and has double-digit rebounding games three times.
- Lane is currently averaging a double-double with an 11.6 scoring average and an 11.0 rebounding average.
- Omelogo Udeze came off the bench against Bradley, snapping her string of consecutive games started at 29.
- Channan High has started 13 games in a row, most on the team.
- Laura Garcia grabbed eight rebounds against Bradley, a new career high.
- The Bulldog defense is allowing opponents to shoot only 27 percent from three-point range. Three of FS's opponents have made only one three in a game.
- The 80 points Bradley scored Saturday were the most allowed by Fresno State since Georgia Tech had 87 on Dec. 30, 2000.
- FS has allowed just one opponent this year to shoot better than 40 percent.
- Fresno State has made a three-pointer in all three of its game in 2001-02, running its consecutive three-pointer streak to 63.
- The Bulldogs victory in the Fresno State Classic was the first time they have ever won their own tournament in its five-year history.
- 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.
- The victory over Delaware State was Fresno State's third in a row in a season opener.
- Fresno State is 3-0 when leading at halftime and 0-2 when trailing.
- The Bulldogs are averaging 20.4 points per game from their bench this year.
