Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Navy (Navy Classic)
Women's Basketball Falls Short Against Navy, 68-66
12/22/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 22, 2002
ANNAPOLIS, Md.- Navy's Courtney Davidson hit a game-winning runner in the lane for a 68-66 victory over Fresno State in the championship game of the Navy Classic, as the 'Dogs fell short in their comeback bid.
The Bulldogs tied the game at 66-66 with 34 seconds left but missed two chances on their final possession to send the game into overtime.
With eight seconds remaining, Fresno State (5-4) had two chances on the final possession to the tie the game and force overtime. Senior Laura Garcia (Fresno, Calif.) drove the length of the court but was short on a lay-up and fellow senior Omelogo Udeze (Los Angeles, Calif.) was unable to convert on the putback following her rebound giving Navy (8-3) the 68-66 win.
Udeze led the Bulldogs with 20 points in the loss, while junior Java Johnson (Fresno, Calif.) chipped in with 12 on 5-5 shooting. Garcia and Udeze were named to the Navy Classic All-Tournament team for their efforts over the weekend.
"I'm very proud of our performance this afternoon," said head coach Stacy Johnson-Klein. "This loss will prepare us for the close games we will encounter in conference later this year. We will learn from this and look to finish the non-conference season out strong on Monday against Saint Mary's."
The first half featured seven lead changes and one tie as both clubs attempted to take control. After Navy jumped out to an early 8-7 lead, Udeze's jumper put Fresno State back in front and ignited a 10-7 run that saw the Bulldogs lead by as many as five- matching the largest of the first half for either squad.
Navy's Maile Shimoda kept the Midshipmen within striking distance throughout the first half by connecting on all four of her three-point attempts- two of which came on the ensuing possession after Fresno State had reclaimed the lead. Shimoda finished the first half with 17 points on 5-7 shooting from the field, including a triple from the top of the key as time expired. She finished with 21 in the win.
The Mids ended the half on a 14-6 scoring run, despite sophomore Aritta Lane (Aiea, Hawaii) knocking down two free-throws with four seconds left to put Fresno State down three at 31-28. Udeze and Garcia were the Bulldogs' high scorers at the halfway point with six points apiece.
Fresno State was able to close the gap at the start of the second half, feeding Udeze underneath the basket for several easy baskets. Navy's Shimoda then stretched the Midshipmen lead to 42-38 at the 15:19 mark with a trey, but junior Java Johnson (Fresno, Calif.) countered by executing on a three-point play to get the 'Dogs within one at 42-41.
Both schools would proceed to trade buckets on their next four trips down the floor until Udeze hit the front end of two free-throws to knot the game at 50-50 with 10:22 left to play.
Courtney Davidson nailed a three from the right wing to cap a 10-2 Navy run that put the Mids up 60-52 with just over seven minutes remaining.
However, the Bulldogs responded with a 9-2 scoring run highlighted by five points from senior Channan High (New Carrollton, Md.) that cut the lead to 64-61 with 2:05 to play. Udeze then knocked down two free-throws to inch the 'Dogs closer at 64-63.
Navy's Courtney Davidson drove to the hoop for a lay-up to put Navy up 66-63, but Fresno State's Udeze converted on a three-point play to tie the game at 66-66 with 34 seconds left. On the following trip down the floor, Davidson gave the Mids the lead once again with a runner in the lane to make it 68-66 with 8.2 on the clock. The Bulldogs would misfire on their final two attempts.
The Bulldogs will take a break for the holidays before hosting Saint Mary's in the final non-conference contest of the season on Monday, Dec. 30 at 7 p.m.
