Women's Hoops Prepares For Showdown With Louisiana Tech

Jan. 17, 2003

Bulldog Update
Fresh off its second home upset victory of the year, Fresno State will look to further its reputation as giant-killers and add a third victim to its list. The next challenge for the Bulldogs will be a tough one, as No. 11 Louisiana Tech (11-2, 4-0 WAC) pays a visit to the North Gym on Saturday afternoon. The Lady Techsters, who stormed through the WAC last season en route to a conference championship, will be the first nationally-ranked opponent the Bulldogs will have faced this year. The 'Dogs will have some momentum after stunning SMU 75-62 on Thursday night to improve to 6-1 at home and 5-1 after a loss. With its nine victories, Fresno State has matched its overall win total from a year ago with 13 games remaining in league play. Currently, the team stands at 9-6 overall and 3-2 in WAC competition, good for second place status in the conference standings.

Media Memo
Saturday's game against Louisiana Tech can be heard on ESPN Radio 1430 AM. Andy Winford will assume play-by-play duties with Phil Hawkins providing color analysis. The contest will also be televised locally on AT&T Broadband (local cable channel 14). Each of Fresno State's six remaining home games will also be broadcast over the internet on the official website of Fresno State athletics, www.gobulldogs.com.

Scouting the Lady Techsters
Louisiana Tech (11-2, 4-0 WAC) will be the first nationally-ranked opponent on the Bulldog's schedule this season. The No. 11 Lady Techsters are the defending WAC champions and are tied for first place with Tulsa in the league standings through the first three weeks of the competition. Louisiana Tech routed Nevada 83-54 in its most recent contest, as Amisha Carter led five players in double figures. The Lady Techsters, who average 72.2 ppg as a team, shot 56-percent in the victory over the Wolfpack. Impact players include Trina Frierson (13.3 ppg, 8.5 rpg) and 2002 WAC Player of the Year Cheryl Ford (12.7 ppg, 11.4 rpg). The game has additional intrigue for Fresno State head coach Stacy Johnson-Klein, who spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach for the Lady Techsters and will be matching up against her former squad for the first time. Louisiana Tech is led by first-year skipper Kurt Budke, who took over the program following the retirement of Leon Barmore.

Fresno State All-Time vs. Louisiana Tech
There isn't as much history between these two programs, with Tech claiming a 3-0 edge. The 2001-02 campaign was Louisiana Tech's first as a member of the WAC, and the Lady Techsters swept both games last season (74-50 in Fresno and 70-35 in Ruston). Louisiana Tech bested Fresno State 77-59 at a neutral site during the 95-96 campaign.

'Dogs Showing Progress
After winning just nine games overall last year for its lowest victory total since the 1981-82 season, it has been a different story in 2002-03. With its 75-62 win over SMU on Thursday, Fresno State matched its victory total of nine from last season with 13 games remaining. The Bulldogs will look to hit the 10-win mark for the first time since the 2000-01 season when the team hosts Louisiana Tech on Saturday. Two additional conference victories will also be an upgrade over last season's total of four, the fewest since the team won just one league game during 1980-81.

Fast Starts
Fresno State's 9-6 record through the first 15 games of the year is its best start since the 1996-97 campaign. The Bulldogs started the year 10-5 that season- the last time the squad finished with an overall winning record at season's end.

YEAR            RECORD THROUGH 15 GAMES FINAL RECORD2002-03      9-6 overall, 3-2 WAC    ???2001-02     7-8 overall, 2-3 WAC    9-20 overall, 4-14 WAC2000-01     5-10 overall, 1-2 WAC   10-19 overall, 6-10 WAC1999-2000   7-8 overall, 0-1 WAC    11-18 overall, 4-10 WAC1998-99     6-9 overall, 1-1 WAC    9-19 overall, 4-10 WAC1997-98     7-8 overall, 2-2 WAC    12-16 overall, 6-8 WAC1996-97     10-5 overall, 3-2 WAC   14-13 overall, 7-9 WAC

Shaking It Off
The ability to bounce back after a defeat has aided the team in its strong start early on, as the club has been able to avoid lengthy losing streaks and run off eight wins. Fresno State's 75-62 win over SMU on Thursday improved the Bulldog's record to 5-1 in games following a loss. The team was 5-14 in identical circumstances last season.

The Right Combination
Head coach Stacy Johnson-Klein has been searching for a starting lineup that will give her a boost in the first half of games. Known more for their second half success and bench scoring in several games this year, the Bulldogs received 53 of their 75 points in Thursday's win over SMU from their starting five. Thursday's game marked the first time this year that Fresno State started a game with a lineup of Omelogo Udeze, Java Johnson, Chanie Sutherland, Tiffany Simon and Lindsay Logan. Overall, Johnson-Klein has employed five different starting lineups this year.

Plenty of Production
Having won six of their last nine games, the Bulldogs have been getting offensive production from several different players. Fresno State has had four different players score in double figures in five those contests. The same feat occurred only six times all of last year.

Recent Action:
Game #15: Fresno State 75, SMU 62 (Jan. 16, 2003)
Tiffany Simon led four Fresno State players in double figures as the Bulldogs defeated SMU 75-62 in front of 1,130 fans on Thursday night at the North Gym. Simon finished with 14, while Lindsay Logan and Omelogo Udeze both ended with 13 points and nine rebounds and Java Johnson chipped in with 11. The Bulldogs cruised out to a 36-24 halftime edge and led for the remainder of the contest after SMU took a brief lead 11 minutes into the first half. Simon shined on defense, limiting SMU leading scorer Andrea Cossey to just 1-11 shooting and 11 points overall. Fresno State was aided by a 51-35 edge on the boards, tying their best single-game board production for the season. The 'Dogs also recorded a season-best 14 steals in the victory.

Be Prepared To Play
In what has become a season-long trend, 12 out of Fresno State's 15 games have been decided by 10 points or less. The Bulldogs have posted an impressive 8-4 record in such games. In contrast, the 'Dogs were just 5-7 overall last season in games decided by 10 points or less. Five of Fresno State's last nine games have been decided by a mere five points or less, with three of those coming in the form of victories.

Back-to-Back A Reality?
With a win against Louisiana Tech on Saturday, the 'Dogs have a chance to notch back-to-back victories in WAC competition for the first time since the 1997-1998 season. Furthermore, Fresno State has failed to win consecutive WAC road games since the 1996-97 campaign (San Jose State, UNLV, Air Force).

What's In A Streak?
While it may not seem like much, Fresno State has posted three separate winning streaks this year (one of three games and two of the two-game variety). Six years have gone by since the Bulldogs have been able to make that statement, with the 1996-97 campaign representing the last time the 'Dogs amassed at least three winning streaks. The Bulldogs have won three games in a row just three times over the last four years and have not won four in a row since the middle of the 1994-95 tenure.

Home Sweet Home
The Bulldogs are 6-1 at home this year and have posted a 28-20 record since the 1999-00 season in games played at the North Gym. After suffering losses in their final four home contests of last year, Fresno State has turned things around this season. The Red Wave has played an important role this season, as Fresno State has drawn an averageof 1,196 fans in seven home dates thus far. The announced crowd of 2,119 during Saturday's loss to Tulsa at Selland Arena was the largest to ever attend a women's basketball game in Fresno State history. The 1,273 fans that turned out for the Bulldog's 66-64 victory against Saint Mary's on Dec. 30 was the largest North Gym crowd since 1,411 witnessed Fresno State's 60-51 win over Nevada on Jan. 20, 2001.

Check out the following breakdown:

2001-02 (First seven home games)     Attendance11-17: Fresno State 71, Delaware State 49   (643)11-22: Fresno State 71, Cal State Northridge 65 (311)11-23: Fresno State 76, Southern Utah 66    (480)12-3: Fresno State 75, Cal State Fullerton 65   (460)12-15: Santa Clara 75, Fresno State 65      (482)12-28: Fresno State 70, SMU 63              (535)12-30: Louisiana Tech 74, Fresno State 50   (858)Total through 7 games: 3768Average through 7 games: 538
2002-03 (First seven home games)                Attendance11-29: Fresno State 63, Butler 60       (801)11-30: Fresno State 59, San Diego State 49  (791)12-14: Fresno State 61, San Francisco 57    (1199)12-30: Fresno State 66, Saint Mary's 64     (1237)1-2: Fresno State 77, Rice 70           (1095)1-4: Tulsa 58, Fresno State 57          (2119)1-16: Fresno State 75, SMU 62               (1130)Total through 7 games: 8372Average through 7 games: 1196

Moving Up The Ranks
Head coach Stacy Johnson-Klein has guided Fresno State to an 9-6 start through 15 games in her first season. With a little less than half the season remaining, she can continue to etch her name in the record books as one of the program's most successful first-year coaches. Johnson-Klein currently sits in a tie for fifth-place all-time.

HEAD COACH      SEASON  FIRST-YEAR RECORDLinda Wunder        1993-94 13-15 overall (5-9 WAC)Diane Milutinovich  1979-80 12-14 overall (1-11 NorCal)Donna Pickel        1971-72 10-4 overall (8-2 SCWIAC)Val Cal         1977-78 10-14 overall (4-8 NorCal)Britt King     1998-99 9-19 overall (4-10 WAC)STACY JOHNSON-KLEIN  2002-03 9-6 OVERALL (3-2 WAC)Bob Spencer     1981-82 8-17 overall (4-8 NorCal)

Team Effort
12 of the 13 eligible players have seen playing time for the Bulldogs so far this year. More importantly, each student-athlete is getting an equal opportunity to prove themselves in the early going. Lindsay Logan leads the Bulldogs with 487 minutes thus far and eight different 'Dogs are averaging at least 10 minutes per game. Eight different players have received the starting nod as well at one time this year.

Down No Longer
In the midst of its surprising 9-6 start to the season, Fresno State has snapped lengthy losing streaks to several schools in the process. A breakdown follows:

School      Prev. Losing Stretch    Streak EndedSanta Clara 5 games (1991-2002) 12-4-02 (Fresno State 62-55)San Francisco   3 games (1994-2002) 12-14-02 (Fresno State 61-57)Saint Mary's    5 games (1997-2002) 12-30-02 (Fresno State 66-64)Rice        10 games (1997-2002)    1-2-03 (Fresno State 77-70)

Taking Care of Business
Only six of Fresno State's first 15 opponents have entered their respective game with the Bulldogs with a losing overall record. But those are the games you have to win and the 'Dogs have been successful, going 4-2 in those contests and averaging 72 points.

Night Moves
Be it an early wake-up call, bad breakfast or whatever the case may be, this Bulldog squad has struggled in day games, posting victories in just three of the seven games. Conversely, Fresno State is 6-2 in its seven scheduled night games this season. In yet another scheduling quirk, the 'Dogs have played a game on every day of the week except for Tuesday so far this season.

Seventh Heaven
Seven has been the magic number this season for Fresno State in several games this year. After defeating Boise State 63-56 last Thursday, the Bulldogs are 3-1 in contests in which the seven-point margin of victory is in effect.

Board Games
One of the primary reasons for Fresno State's early success has the been its ability to rebound the basketball. The Bulldogs rank second among conference teams in the rebounding category with 616 overall and 41.1 per game. The Bulldogs have recorded rebounding totals of 40-or-more in eight games this year, and tied their season-best with 51 against SMU on Thursday. The 'Dogs have outrebounded their opponents in all but three games so far. Three different players are averaging at least five boards per game: Omelogo Udeze- 8.2, Java Johnson- 8.0 and Tiffany Simon- 5.3.

Give It Up For Garcia
Senior Laura Garcia is averaging 7.2 ppg and has made a team-best 27-68 triples (39-percent). She has scored in double figures in five of the last eight games, and matched her season-best with 13 points against Boise State last week. The 5-6 guard also made the All-Tournament team at the Navy Classic last month, racking up 21 points on 7-19 shooting from the field with eight rebounds and five assists through two games.

Omelogo Has Been Outstanding
Senior Omelogo Udeze has been one of the Bulldog's most dependable players. Udeze has played in all 15 contests, and is leading the club in scoring (13.0 ppg) and rebounding (8.2 rpg). The forward also leads the team in free-throw shooting (29-38 for a 76-percent clip). She has registered four double-doubles this year, while serving as the team's leading scorer in six games already. Udeze has also scored in double digits in nine consecutive games. She is currently in second place all-time with 795 career rebounds, trailing leader Yvette Roberts (1986-89) who has 984.

Java's Been Hot For The 'Dogs
The addition of junior Java Johnson has paid immediate dividends for Fresno State, as she is averaging 8.5 ppg and second with an 8.0 rpg in eight contests. She has produced double-digit totals in either points or rebounds in six of those games so far. Johnson's best performance thus far came against Tulsa, notching her first career double-double. The 5-11 native of Fresno, Calif., started at middle blocker for Fresno State's volleyball squad that went 23-7 overall this year and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. Johnson was a 2002 First Team All-WAC selection and named to the 2002 AVCA All-West Region squad.

Three's Haven't Come Easy
Fresno State is shooting just 30-percent (72-236) from beyond the arc, while its opponents are connecting at a 34-percent (81-240) rate. Laura Garcia has hit 27 treys while Lindsay Logan has made 26, but the production drops off severely after that. Sophomore Veronica Mack is next on the list with just seven three-pointers.

Bulldogs Have New Faith
Fresno State has added Faith Probst, a 6-1 freshman forward from Rowville, Victoria, Australia, to the roster. She has played in two games this year and has recorded six boards and two blocked shots in nine minutes of playing time. She will wear uniform #33.

Clearly, A Second Half Squad
Fresno State head coach Stacy Johnson-Klein has apparently come up with the classic halftime speech, as her squad has performed at its best in the second half of many games this season. 573 of Fresno State's 978 total points have come in the second half (roughly 59-percent). The Bulldogs have had the lead at halftime in just five games this year, winning four. Conversely, the team is 4-5 when trailing at the half and 1-0 when the score is tied. In a telling example of its offensive struggles, Fresno State has failed to reach the 30-point mark at intermission on 10 different occasions.

Making A State-Ment
In addition to its success against the WCC this year, the Bulldogs are currently a perfect 4-0 against California schools. Fresno State will play at least six games against programs within the home state, including two against rival San Jose State during WAC play.

That's Why It's Called The Charity Stripe
Fresno State must get to the foul line on a regular basis. The Bulldogs have hit 142 of 208 free throw attempts so far for a 68.3-percent clip. Senior Omelogo Udeze is leading the club at the line so far, going 29-38 for a 76-percent mark. The 'Dogs' best effort this year came in a 59-49 win versus San Diego State when the club went 14-18 from the line.

Logan Stands Alone
Senior Lindsay Logan, who became Fresno State's career leader in assists on Nov. 29 in a 63-60 win over Butler, broke the school's career three-point field goal record in the Dec. 4 win over Santa Clara. She now has 237 treys for her career, and her 191 steals currently rank third on the all-time list. Logan, who has scored in double digits a team-best 10 times this year, is second on the team in scoring at 12.1 ppg.

Five Athletes Sign Letters-of-Intent
Akiya Alexander (Evanston, Ill.), Paige Diggs (Amarillo, Texas), Brittani Green (Dallas, Texas), Nikki Wilson (Athens, Texas) and Tierre Wilson (Lawton, Okla.) have all signed national letters-of-intent to play for the Bulldogs in 2003-04 and represent head coach Stacy Johnson-Klein's first-ever recruiting class at Fresno State.

Fresno State Athletics

Women's Hoops Prepares For Showdown With Louisiana Tech

Related News

Players Mentioned

Veronica Mack

Faith Probst

Related Videos