Fresno State Athletics
Women's Basketball Hosts Hawai'i In WAC Opener
1/2/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 2, 2004
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Fresno State Bulldogs (6-4, 0-0 WAC)
vs. Hawai'i Rainbow Wahine (2-7, 0-0 WAC)
Date: Sat., Jan. 3
Time: 1 p.m.
Site: Fresno, Calif.
Facility: Save Mart Center (16,116)
Series History: Hawai'i leads 23-7
Last Meeting: Fresno State 54, Hawai'i 51 (Feb. 22, 2003 in Fresno, Calif.)
Radio: ESPN Radio 1430 AM (TBA: play-by-play, TBA: color)
Tip-Off
Fresno State's 2003-04 WAC regular season gets underway on Saturday when the Bulldogs host Hawai'i (2-7, 0-0 WAC) at 1 p.m. The Bulldogs enter this weekend's contest against the Rainbow Wahine at 6-4, matching last year's record through 10 non-conference games. Fresno State's current three-game homestand concludes on Monday, Jan. 5, with a battle San Jose State (8-1, 0-0 WAC) at 7 p.m.
Radio Report
Saturday afternoon's Fresno State-Hawai'i contest can be heard live on ESPN Radio 1430 AM, the station for all Bulldog regular season home games. The broadcast can also be heard live on Fresno State's official athletics website, www.gobulldogs.com. Live stats can be accessed online as well.
Hoops and Hockey
The first of three Fresno State women's basketball-Fresno Falcons hockey doubleheaders takes place today, as the Falcons host the Idaho Steelheads at 7:30 p.m. Fans attending the Fresno State women's basketball game will receive a free ticket to tonight's Falcons match, good for any seat in the Silver Section.
Scouting Hawai'i
The Rainbow Wahine, traditionally a tough opponent for the Bulldogs in recent years, enters Saturday's game at 2-7 overall. Hawai'i will be playing its first road game of the year when it faces Fresno State, as the team hosted four tournaments and played on their home court for the first nine games. Hawai'i has lost some tough decisions, as five of its seven losses have been decided by 10 points or less. The Rainbow Wahine is shooting at just a 36.8-percent rate. Jade Abele, the leading scorer in the WAC, has been a bright spot as she leads the club in scoring (17.7 ppg), rebounding (5.8 rpg), assists (28), steals (16), three-pointers (14) and free throws (47-63). April Atuaia is averaging 9.3 ppg and 5.3 rpg through nine games. Head coach Vince Goo, a mainstay on the island, is back for his 17th season.
Fresno State All-Time vs. Hawai'i
Hawai'i owns a decisive 23-7 edge in the all-time series. In fact, the Rainbow Wahine had beaten the Bulldogs 15 straight times before Fresno State squeezed out a 54-51 win in the final WAC game in the North Gym last February. Prior to that, Fresno State's last win over Hawai'i occured back on Feb. 9, 1991 when the 'Dogs won 73-70 in overtime. Fresno State is 5-10 against Hawai'i in games played in Fresno.
Scouting San Jose State
This year's surprise in the WAC appears to be San Jose State, which stands at 8-1 overall before facing Nevada on Saturday afternoon in Reno. San Jose State is off to its best nine-game start in school history and its only loss was a 90-67 decision at California in the second game of the year. The Spartans own a 48.1-percent field goal percentage on the year and are holding opponents to a 33.5-percent clip, translating into a 68.4 ppg average compared to a 54.3 ppg clip from its opponents. The offense centers around Tatiana Taylor (15.4 ppg, 7.6 rpg, .523 field goal percentage) and Cricket Williams (12.8 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 86 assists, 29 steals, 43-63 from charity stripe). SJSU is also outrebounding its opponents by a 39.3-33.7 margin. Head coach Janice Richard is 54-67 in five seasons with the Spartans.
Fresno State All-Time vs. San Jose State
This rivalry dates back to the 1973-74 season, with the Bulldogs holding a 33-17 advantage. Fresno State has won two straight against San Jose State after dropping the previous four games. These two teams met three times last year, with the 'Dogs winning 96-80 at home on Feb. 20 and again on Mar. 12 in the opening round of the WAC Tournament with a 63-57 triumph. In games played in Fresno, San Jose State is 8-15 overall.
Fresno State All-Time in WAC openers
Dating back to the 1973-74 campaign, the Bulldogs are 17-13 all-time in conference openers. Fresno State defeated Rice 77-70 in last year's WAC opener, giving the Bulldog's back-to-back victories in league debuts after also defeating SMU in 2001-02. Fresno State is 19-11 all-time in conference home openers. Hawai'i and Fresno State last faced off in a WAC opener on Jan. 2, 1997- a 61-60 overtime win by the Rainbow Wahine in Fresno.
Early Returns
Fresno State's 53-50 win over Denver on Dec. 30 translated into a 6-4 non-conference record for the year, equaling last season's non-league mark. In fact, last year's 6-4 non-conference ledger marked the first time the 'Dogs fininshed preseason play with a winning record since 1996-97.
2003-04: 6-4 non-conference..------
2002-03: 6-4 non-conference...11-7 WAC
2001-02: 5-5 non-conference...4-14 WAC
2000-01: 4-8 non-conference...6-10 WAC
1999-00: 7-7 non-conference...4-10 WAC
1998-99: 5-8 non-conference...4-10 WAC
Roster Note
Head coach Stacy Johnson-Klein has announced that sophomore Nikki Wilson has been dismissed from the team, citing a repeated violation of team rules.
Shaking It Off
The ability to bounce back after a defeat has aided Fresno State this year, as the club has been able to avoid lengthy losing streaks. The Bulldogs are now 4-0 in games following a loss this season after dispatching of Denver 53-50 on Dec. 30. Last year, Fresno State was 8-3 in games following a defeat, compared to a 5-14 mark in similar situations during the 2001-02 season.
A Little Extra Motivation?
If the career numbers match up, junior forward Aritta Lane should be effective for the Bulldogs on Saturday against Hawai'i. Lane, a native of Aiea, Hawaii, has played well in four career games against the Rainbow Wahine. She is 17-39 overall from the field in four games, including a 16-point, 16-rebound performance in a Bulldog loss to Hawai'i on Feb. 21, 2002. Lane has also pulled down 30 rebounds in four games.
Winning The Rebound Battle
As long as the Bulldogs continue to win the battle of the boards, victories should be right around the corner. Fresno State is outrebounding its opponents 37.5 to 32.6 through 10 games, including a season-best 53 against Louisiana-Monroe on Nov. 28. Three different players are averaging at least six boards per contest, with Mindy Clark pulling down 6.7, Jasmine Plummer at 6.4 and Aritta Lane at 6.1 per game. A Dec. 13 victory over Santa Clara proved to be a telling example, as the Bulldogs outrebounded the Broncos 48-33 overall and 23-8 on the offensive glass.
Recapping the Bulldog's Recent Action
Fresno State 53, Denver 50 (Dec. 30 at Fresno, Calif.)
Fresno State, despite committing a season-high 33 turnovers, managed to squeeze out a 53-50 non-conference victory over Denver on Tuesday night at the Save Mart Center. Freshman Jasmine Plummer grabbed four key rebounds and added two free throws down the stretch to help preserve the win. She finished with 12 points and eight rebounds, while junior Veronica Mack led the Bulldogs with 14 points. Senior Mindy Clark nearly missed her second double-double of the year, as she tallied 10 points nad nine rebounds. Both teams struggled all evening, with Denver committing 29 turnovers to bring the game total to 62. What helped the Bulldogs was a solid shooting percentage of 53.5-percent, compared to Denver's mark of 33.8. The Pioneers made it a one-possession game with a chance to tie at the end of regulation, but the clock run out.
So Just How Do They Win?
A quick check of Fresno State's overall team stats might make one wonder how the Bulldogs are 6-4. The biggest cause for head-scratching- 228 turnovers and 120 assists through 10 games. A recent win over Denver did nothing to clear up the confusion. The following are a few statistics from that game:
Turnovers: Fresno State 33, Denver 29.
Free Throws: Fresno State 3-14 (all three coming in the final 4:00), Denver 0-1.
Total Rebounds: Denver 37, Fresno State 33.
Offensive Rebounds: Denver 19, Fresno State 7.
Driving The Lane
Junior forward Aritta Lane is having a career year for the Bulldogs through the early going. Lane is averaging a team-best 15.2 ppg and is third in the club in rebounding at 6.1 per game. She is also 40-58 from the free-throw line. After registering just two double-doubles all of last year, she recorded the 10th of her career in the season opener at Washington State. Against Santa Clara back on Dec. 13, she paced the Bulldogs with a career-high 25 points, marking the seventh time this year she has led the squad in scoring. Lane, who was named WAC Player of the Week for Dec. 8-14, has also been named to All-Tournament Teams at the Fresno State Classic and Oklahoma State Cowgirl Classic.
Mack Attack
Junior guard Veronica Mack is having a breakthrough season, setting career highs in almost every statistical category. Mack is second on the team in scoring at 12.0 ppg and poured in a career-best 19 against Cal State Fullerton on Dec. 19 before matching the mark two days later at UCLA. She has displayed a knack for hitting the three-point basket, as she leads the team and the WAC with 23 treys in 59 chances. Mack has started every game this season and is averaging a team-best 29.7 minutes per game.
Clark Starting Off Hot
Senior center Mindy Clark has been making the most of her opportunities in the early going. Clark is currently averaging 7.2 ppg, a clip that is good enough for third on the squad. She is also leading the team with 6.7 rpg and 67 overall. In a win over Long Beach State on Dec. 10, Clark established career highs in points (15) and minutes played (30). Against Cal State Fullerton on Dec. 19, she recorded her first career double-double with a personal-best 11 boards and 10 points. Clark has started seven of the Bulldog's 10 games so far this season.
Making A State-Ment
Under head coach Stacy Johnson-Klein, the Bulldogs have performed well against California schools, posting an impressive 10-2 mark. Quite a turnaround, considering the Bulldogs were just 9-14 against teams from the Golden State over the combined three previous seasons (1999-2002). Last year, Fresno State defeated Santa Clara and San Jose State twice and notched home victories over San Diego State, San Francisco and Saint Mary's. The Bulldogs are 3-1 this year against California schools, having already defeated Long Beach State, Santa Clara and Cal State Fullerton.
70 Appears To Be The Number
During the Bulldog's recent three-game winning streak, the team registered point totals of 70, 71 and 71, respectively. That appears to be the formula for a Bulldog victory, as Fresno State is 4-0 when scoring at least 70 points so far this season.
Sutherland Sets Career High
Senior guard Chanie Sutherland, who entered the season with a career-high of nine points, has already topped that mark twice in the first 10 games. She poured in 12 points in a win over Western Illinois on Dec. 5- nine of those coming in the form of three-pointers- to establish a new personal best. Sutherland, who is averaging 28.8 minutes played, is 8-32 from beyond the arc overall. In 2002-03, she was 6-37.
Freshman Stepping Up For The 'Dogs
Part of the reason for Fresno State's early success has hinged on the contributions it has received from three freshmen: Paige Diggs, Brittani Green and Jasmine Plummer. All three have seen playing time off the bench during the first 10 games of the year, while Green has made two starts and Diggs received a starting nod in the season opener.
- Paige Diggs: Has been steadily gaining more playing time as a result of her recent success. Diggs had her best game of the year on Dec. 13 against Santa Clara when she established career highs in points (9), rebounds (6) and minutes (20). She is averaging just 3.0 ppg but has provided a spark off the bench in a reserve role.
- Brittani Green: The Dallas, Texas, native is developing into a solid post option for the Bulldogs. Green notched a career-high 10 points in a loss to Oklahoma State on Dec. 6. She has been active on the glass, grabbing 28 rebounds so far and has been consisent from the foul line with an 14-21 clip.
- Jasmine Plummer: Aggressive on defense and opportunistic on offense, Plummer notched five assists in her first career game at Washington State and currently leads the team with 21. She is currently fourth in scoring with 7.0 ppg and is second on the club in rebounding at 6.4 per contest.
Home Sweet Home
Four games have been played at the Save Mart Center so far this year and the home crowds have been impressive. Fresno State has topped the 4,000 mark on all three occasions, with the 4,570 fans that turned out for Utah representing the largest crowd in program history. The Bulldogs finished 13-2 at home last year, with 12 of those victories coming in the North Gym. The Red Wave played an important role in 2002-03, as Fresno State drew an average of 1,462 fans in 15 home dates. 13 of the 15 home games featured crowds of at least 1,000, including five sellouts.
Home Sweet Home, Part 2
2001-02......
(majority of games played in the North Gym- 1,401 capacity)
Total attendance through 14 games: 7,734
Average attendance through 14 games: 552
2002-03......
(majority of games played in the North Gym- 1,401 capacity)
Total attendance through 15 games: 21,936
Average attendance through 15 games: 1,462
2003-04......
(all games played in the Save Mart Center- 16,116 capacity)
Total attendance through 4 games: 17,742
Average attendance through 4 games: 4,436
Sharing Minutes
Seven of Fresno State's 13 eligible players are averaging at least 20 minutes of playing time. Meanwhile, head coach Stacy Johnson-Klein continues to juggle her lineup as she searches for a consistent rotation. Three other Bulldogs are logging 10 minutes per contest, while 10 different players have received a starting nod through the first nine games of the season. A recent lineup of Veronica Mack, Chanie Sutherland, Cophie Moore, Aritta Lane and Mindy Clark has yielded five wins in seven tries.
Bulldogs Picked Fifth In WAC Preseason Poll
Fresno State was ranked fifth in the 2003-04 preseason women's basketball coaches poll, garnering 45 votes. Fresno State finished third in the WAC last season at 11-7, and checked in at 21-13 overall after being projected in seventh place. Louisiana Tech, the defending regular season and tournament champion, has been picked to win its third straight conference title after receiving nine first place votes and 81 points.
