Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
UTEP
Women's Basketball Rolls Past UTEP 93-63
1/19/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 19, 2002
FRESNO, Calif. - Aritta Lane had 20 points and 12 Bulldogs scored as Fresno State coasted to a 93-63 victory over UTEP at the North Gym. The win improves FS's record to 8-9 (3-4 WAC) while the Miners dropped their fourth in a row and stand at 3-12 (1-6 WAC).
UTEP, which wears the albatross of being last in the Western Athletic Conference in scoring offense and scoring defense, did nothing to acquit itself of that dubious honor this afternoon. Except for the first five minutes of the game, when the Miners held a lead, Fresno State was in total control throughout. After UTEP took a four-point edge with 16:38 left, the Bulldogs proceeded to go on a 42-17 run the remainder of the stanza and led 46-27 at the half. FS shot 55 percent in the first 20 minutes while holding the Miners to just 27 percent.
Fresno State continued to pour it on in the second half. Using an up-tempo offense to their advantage, the Bulldogs built a lead as large as 33 at one point. Each player on the active roster saw significant playing time, and several achieved season highs. FS scored 47 points in the second half, its highest count of the year.
The Bulldogs dominated in nearly every facet of the game, but especially noticeable was their dominance in the paint and on the fast break. Fresno State outscored UTEP 38-10 down low and 21-6 when on the run.
Lane's 20 points were a career-high. Lindsay Logan added 14 points and eight assists, and 10 different Bulldogs played more than 15 minutes. Fresno State wound up shooting 46 percent from the floor compared to the Miners' 32 percent.
UTEP was led by Kimya Murray's 21 points. Dragana Zoric had a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
The 30-point victory was the Bulldogs' largest margin of victory since the 1996-97 season, when they defeated Cal State Northridge 86-38. It is also the highest point total since head coach Britt King took over prior to the 1998-99 season.
"I told our team that if were going to bounce back [after Thursday's loss], we had to do it together," King said. "We need to depend on each other. Tonight, I thought we came together and played as a team. I am confident we can continue to work together and get things done."
Fresno State now enters a crucial stretch of its season which sees the team play seven of its final 11 on the road. Coming up is the annual San Jose State-Hawai`i road trip. The Bulldogs take on the Spartans on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. and the Rainbow Wahine on Saturday at 9 p.m. PST.
