Fresno State Athletics
Women's Basketball Opens WAC Season At Hawai'i
12/28/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
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Dec. 28, 2004
Fresno State Bulldogs (8-1, 0-0 WAC)
at Hawai'i Rainbow Wahine (4-3, 0-0 WAC)
Date: Thu., Dec. 30
Time: 9 p.m. PST
Site: Honolulu, Hi.
Facility (capacity): Stan Sheriff Center (10,300)
Series History: Hawai'i leads 24-8
Last Meeting: Fresno State 63, Hawai'i 54 (Mar. 6, 2004)
Later This Week...
Fresno State Bulldogs
at San Jose State Spartans (6-3, 0-0 WAC)
Date: Sat., Jan. 1
Time: 7 p.m. PST
Site: San Jose, Calif.
Tip-Off
After registering an impressive 8-1 mark during the non-conference season, Fresno State looks to continue that success this weekend when WAC competition gets underway at Hawai'i (4-3). The Bulldogs will also resume their season on the road, as the team is in the midst of a four-game road swing- the longest such stretch on the schedule this year. Prior to the holiday break, Fresno State swept two games on its road trip to New York with victories over Manhattan (68-59) and Long Island (74-64). Now it's time for conference play, and the Bulldogs will try to improve on last season's 7-11 record in WAC games. The Hawai'i/San Jose State road trip is first up on the schedule and that's fine with Fresno State; the Bulldogs went 2-0 on the same road trip to end the 2003-04 regular season.
Scouting Hawai'i
Through seven games, Hawai'i is sporting a 4-3 overall mark as it enters WAC play. The Rainbow Wahine have played all seven non-conference games at home. Hawai'i has battled through a tough non-conference slate that included games against Utah, then-No. 15 Houston and a win over previously unbeaten Wake Forest. Hawai'i is ranked sixth in the nation in three-point shooting, traditionally a club strength. Leading the Rainbow Wahine are Jade Abele (14.4 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 12 treys), Janevia Taylor (13.4 ppg, 6.9 rpg) and Alofa Toiaivao (11.4 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 20 blocks). Head coach Jim Bolla, who is 304-123 in his coaching career, is in his first year at the helm after replacing Vince Goo, a legendary figure on the Island.
Fresno State All-Time vs. Hawai'i
This series has been very lopsided and in favor of Hawai'i. The Rainbow Wahine own a 24-8 all-time mark against the Bulldogs, including a 15-game winning streak that extended from 1992-2003. Fresno State has won two of the last three meetings however, with the most recent triumph coming in Honolulu last year in the regular season finale. Under head coach Stacy Johnson-Klein, Fresno State is 2-2 versus Hawai'i. In games played in Honolulu, Fresno State is 2-12.
Scouting San Jose State
San Jose State is off to a quick 6-3 start to the season and will host Nevada before taking on Fresno State on Jan. 1. The Spartans are coming off a 1-1 showing at the Mississippi State Classic, falling to Mississippi State 66-60 before defeating Grambling 63-56. San Jose State averages 60.3 ppg and allows 57.6. San Jose State has committed 203 turnovers compared to 131 by its opponents. Just like the Bulldogs, the Spartans are shooting below 30-percent from three-point territory at 23.9-percent. Freshman Amber Jackson (67-97 from the field, 16.0 ppg, 8.7 rpg) has been impressive, while Lamisha Augustine (12.4 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 18-24 from free throw line) also contributes. Head coach Janice Richard is in her sixth year.
Fresno State All-Time vs. San Jose State
While Hawai'i holds the all-time edge in its series with Fresno State, the Bulldogs are the clear-cut favorites here. Fresno State is 35-17 all-time against San Jose State and that includes four victories in a row. The Bulldogs won 18 straight games in this series from 1984-1992 and seven in a row from 1998-2001. Both of last year's meetings were Fresno State victories, including an 81-39 thrashing at the Save Mart Center. Johnson-Klein is 4-1 against San Jose State.
Fresno State All-Time In WAC Openers
Dating back to the 1973-74 campaign, the Bulldogs are 17-14 all-time in conference openers. Fresno State will be looking to avenge a 48-46 loss to Hawai'i in last year's WAC opener at the Save Mart Center. That loss was the Bulldog's first in a WAC opener since Jan. 5, 2001 against Rice. This week marks Fresno State's first WAC road opener since a 66-61 overtime loss at UTEP on Jan. 15, 2000.
Just Like 1971-72?
The Bulldog's 8-1 beginning to the season matches the 1971-72 team for the best nine-game start in school history. That 1971-72 team won five games to open the year, suffered its first loss, then responded with another three-game winning streak. And who handed Fresno State its only loss through the first nine games that year? UCLA, which accounts for the only blemish on Fresno State's 8-1 start this season.
Winning The Rebound Battle
The Bulldogs have outrebounded their opponents by an average of 42.9 to 34.9 per game, including a season-best 55 against San Diego on Dec. 5. Four players are averaging at least four boards: with Aritta Lane at 6.6, Mirenda Swearengin at 5.3, Amy Parrish at 4.9 and Jasmine Plummer at 4.4. Fresno State has outrebounded its opponents four times this year and leads the WAC in rebounding margin.
Road Warriors
After a 74-64 win at Long Island on Dec. 20, the Bulldogs have now won seven road games in a row dating back to last season when the team won its final three away from Fresno. Fresno State has not lost a road game since a 45-38 loss to UTEP in El Paso on Feb. 12, 2004.
Recapping The Bulldog's Recent Action
Fresno State 74, Long Island 64 (Dec. 20 at Long Island, N.Y.)
Mirenda Swearengin scored a game-high 21 points and Aritta Lane notched a double-double (12 points, 10 rebounds) in a 74-64 win over Long Island at the Schwartz Center. Fresno State shot a season-best 50-percent overall, held a 41-25 edge on the glass and benefited from an aggressive trapping defense in the second half. Cophie Moore added a season-high nine points for the `Dogs in addition to pulling down seven rebounds. Both teams shot 47-percent for the first half.
Fresno State 68, Manhattan 59 (Dec. 17 at Manhattan, N.Y.)
Fresno State (7-1) received outstanding efforts from its reserves in a 68-59 road victory over Manhattan (4-3) at Draddy Gymnasium. Leading the charge was Tierre Wilson, who was making her collegiate debut. Wilson scored 12 points on 5-8 shooting in 19 minutes of playing time. Kendra Walker-Roche added a career-high 11 points that included three three-pointers. Jasmine Plummer also chipped in with 11 points. Fresno State's bench accounted for 54 of the team's 68 points.
2's, Not 3's
Heading into this week, Fresno State's team field goal percentage of 42.1 ranked as the top mark in the WAC. However, the Bulldog's 28.7-percent success rate from three-point territory placed them eighth overall. Fresno State has connected on 47-164 attempts from beyond the arc, while its opponents are 47-147. Mirenda Swearengin leads the squad with 15 treys, while Tierre Wilson and Faith Probst are hitting at a team-best 60-percent rate. That would be encouraging, except both Wilson and Probst have only five attempts.
Her Engine Is Always Running
Junior guard Mirenda Swearengin has proved to be the catalyst for Fresno State's success in the transition game. Swearengin has excited fans early and often with her no-look passes and lightning-quick speed. In addition to leading the team in minutes played per game at 29.3, the transfer from New Mexico Junior College is also the club leader in scoring (11.9 ppg), assists (4.6 per game), three-pointers (15) and steals (21). She also ranks second on the team in rebounding with 5.3 per game and has scored in double-figures four times.
Driving The Lane
Senior forward Aritta Lane has been an important part of Fresno State's impressive start to the year. Fresno State's leading scorer from a year ago, Lane is second on the club in that category with 11.3 ppg through nine games while shooting 54.3-percent from the field (44-81). She is averaging 6.6 rebounds per game to lead Fresno State's assault on the boards. Lane, who has scored in double-figures four times, matched her career-high with 25 points in a victory against San Diego back on Dec. 5.
So Why Is It Working?
With Fresno State off to its best start in school history, a few things stand out:
- Balanced Production: Fresno State has had a different leading scorer (Chantella Perera, Amy Parrish, Mirenda Swearengin, Veronica Mack/Brittani Green, Aritta Lane, Tierre Wilson) in six games this year.
- Sharing Minutes: 11 of the 15 players who have appeared in at least one game so far this year are averaging at least 10 minutes of playing time. Cophie Moore is bidding to be the 12th Bulldog in that mix, averaging 8.9 per game.
- Free Throw Shooting: The Bulldogs are shooting 71.2-percent (111-156) from the charity stripe. Opponents have made it to the line only 116 times, making 84. Four Bulldog players are still perfect from the line on the season.
Gimme Five!
One of the trademarks of head coach Stacy Johnson-Klein's offense since her arrival at Fresno State has been her unique substitution method. Johnson-Klein often employs a "five-for-five" rotation, where she works with two separate lineups and alternates among them based on productivity. The five-for-five strategy was used in almost every game during the 2002-03 season, when Fresno State finished 21-13 during Johnson-Klein's first year.
Let's Talk Streaks
A 65-61 win over Washington State on Dec. 9 resulted in a 6-0 record, the best start to a season in school history. The six-game winning streak was the team's first since a similar stretch from Jan. 4-18, 1990. Since an overtime win at Boise State on Feb. 14, 2004, Fresno State has won 13 of its last 16 overall.
Jumping Out Early
Fresno State's opponents have scored the first basket in six of the first nine games. However, the Bulldogs have only trailed at halftime once. The `Dogs have outscored their foes 305-245 in the first half and 309-294 in the second.
Early Returns
Fresno State is on pace for its best non-conference win total since 1996, when the team finished non-league play with a 7-3 mark. With one non-league game remaining (Feb. 23 vs. Utah Valley State), Fresno State currently stands at 8-1. The Bulldogs have made considerable strides against non-conference opponents over the last three years, notching a 22-10 overall mark (including three games in the 2003 WNIT). In the three years prior to Stacy Johnson-Klein's arrival, Fresno State compiled a 16-20 mark in non-conference games.
Making A State-Ment
Under head coach Stacy Johnson-Klein, the Bulldogs have performed exceptionally well against California schools, notching a 15-3 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). The Bulldogs were 5-1 last year, defeating Long Beach State, Santa Clara, Cal State Fullerton and San Jose State twice. Fresno State is 3-1 in such games this year and will play San Jose State twice during WAC competition.
Fresno State, Save Mart Center To Host 2004 NCAA Tournament
Fresno State has been tabbed as one of eight schools to host the first and second rounds of the 2005 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament, with competition taking place at the Save Mart Center. The first and second rounds for the 2005 and 2006 championships will be conducted at eight pre-determined sites, which represents a format change from previous years. Fresno State joins Texas, Minnesota and Washington as schools that will host NCAA Regional contests on Saturday, March 19, and Monday, March 21, 2005.
Bulldogs Picked Sixth In WAC Preseason Poll
Fresno State was ranked sixth in the 2004-05 preseason women's basketball coaches poll, garnering 44 votes. Fresno State finished in a tie for sixth place in the WAC last season at 7-11, and checked in at 13-16 overall. Louisiana Tech, the three-time defending regular season and tournament champions, was picked to win the WAC.
Fresno State Reaches New Heights In Attendance
Fresno State's inaugural season in the 16,116-seat Save Mart Center produced several school attendance records, including a No. 19 national ranking in average home attendance and the third-largest yearly increase among all other Division 1 women's basketball programs. Add Fresno State's 58-38 season-opening win over Pepperdine on Nov. 19 to the list of attendance successes, as a school-record crowd of 7,042 witnessed the victory. The Bulldogs, whose overall attendance total of 62,933 ranked 22nd in the country, had a higher average home attendance last year than traditional powerhouses Stanford, Georgia and LSU. The following is a three-year attendance breakdown under head coach Stacy Johnson-Klein:
