Fresno State Athletics
Women's Basketball Plays Final Home Game Saturday Against Nevada
2/22/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
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"Ren's Court Report," an online diary
from sophomore Lauren Selmon.
Feb. 22, 2004
Fresno State Bulldogs (10-15, 4-11 WAC)
vs. Nevada Wolf Pack (3-22, 2-13 WAC)
Date: Sat., Feb. 28
Time: 8 p.m.- second half of a doubleheader with the men's game set for 6 p.m.
Site: Fresno, Calif.
Facility: Save Mart Center (16,116)
Series History: Fresno State leads 17-6, 12-0 in Fresno
Last Meeting: Nevada 71, Fresno State 53 (Jan. 31, 2004- Fresno, Calif.)
Radio: ESPN Radio 1430 AM (play-by-play: Paul Swearengin, color: Phil Hawkins)
Tip-Off
A winning record at home. A chance to avenge last month's 71-53 defeat in Reno. More importantly, an opportunity to improve its conference tournament seeding. All three of those things, as well as Senior Night festivities, will be at stake when Fresno State (10-15, 4-11 WAC) hosts Nevada (3-22, 2-13 WAC) on Saturday night in the Bulldog's final home game of the year. Fresno State, which split two home games last week, has won three of its last five after enduring an eight-game losing streak that spanned almost a month. Saturday's game is scheduled to tip-off at approximately 8 p.m., and represents the second half of a doubleheader. The Fresno State men's team hosts Nevada at 6 p.m.
Tickets Available
Single-game tickets to all Fresno State women's basketball home games are available at the Save Mart Center Box Office, by calling Ticketmaster at (559) 485-TIXS or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for juniors (ages 2-17).
Media Memo
Saturday's game against Nevada can be heard live on ESPN Radio 1430 AM. Paul Swearengin calls the action while Phil Hawkins provides color commentary. The game can also be heard on Fresno State's official website, www.gobulldogs.com, which displays live in-game stats.
Down The Stretch
Fresno State has just three regular season games remaining: Saturday's contest against Nevada and next week's road trip to San Jose State and Hawai'i. The conference's sixth seed remains the goal at this point, as it would mean avoiding the play-in round of the WAC Tournament. In addition:
- The Bulldog's final three games are against sub-.500 teams (Nevada, San Jose State and Hawai'i).
- Having already defeated San Jose State 81-39 earlier this season, the Bulldogs can claim the tiebreaker edge over the Spartans with a victory in San Jose on Mar. 4.
- Boise State still has one game remaining with Louisiana Tech (13-1 WAC), while San Jose State and Hawai'i both have to travel to Rice (13-1 WAC).
Scouting Nevada
Nevada (3-22, 2-13 WAC) checks into Saturday's game on a six-game losing streak, with its last victory coming in the form of a 71-53 rout of Fresno State back on Jan. 31. The Wolf Pack's other wins this year came against Hawai'i (77-62) and Sacramento State (65-55). Nevada, which is 0-11 on the road this year, must win on Saturday to avoid another last-place conference finish. The Wolf Pack is being outscored 72.5 to 59.2, outrebounded 41.0 to 34.3 and ranks last in the conference in defense and rebounding. However, Nevada is the WAC's top free-throw shooting team at an impressive 73.0-percent. Players to watch include: April Bankston (11.0 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 48.8-percent from the field), Jocelyn Mancebo (10.4 ppg, 50 steals, 44-127 from three-point territory) and Traci Graham (8.3 ppg, 78 assists). Head coach Kim Gervasoni, a Fresno State graduate, is in her first season with the Wolf Pack.
Fresno State All-Time vs. Nevada
Fresno State owns a 17-6 advantage among its travel partners. The Bulldogs were topped 71-53 in Reno back on Jan. 31, but swept both meetings last year: 71-48 at home and 77-65 on the road. Fresno State is 5-5 against Nevada in the last 10 games between the two clubs. The long-standing series also featured a 10-game Fresno State winning streak that spanned from 1979-1990. In games played in Fresno, the Bulldogs are 12-0 against the Wolf Pack.
For The Record
Last weekend's loss at UTEP guaranteed Fresno State a sub-.500 finish in conference play for the first time since the 2001-02 season. For Fresno State to record a second straight winning season, the Bulldogs must win their final three regular season games and at least three games in the WAC Tournament.
It Needs To Happen On The Road
As explained above, Fresno State will likely need to sweep its final three games to have a shot at the No. 6 seed in the conference tournament. That includes next weekend's road trip to San Jose State and Hawai'i. And it will be a tough task, as the Bulldogs have not swept a two-game conference road trip since 1997 season when the team recorded wins at UNLV (74-68 on Jan. 16) and Air Force (62-53 on Jan. 18).
Three-Point Barrage
Over the last three games, Fresno State is 26-71 from beyond the arc. While that may only translate to 37-percent, the three-point shot has opened up other areas of offense. Against Tulsa last week, Fresno State made 9-20 from three-point territory. The Bulldogs were 11-36 in a win over Boise State on Feb. 14, setting a single-game record for three-point field goals attempted. During the three-game stretch, the main threats have been junior Veronica Mack (8-27, including a record-tying 16 attempts at Boise State) and freshman Chantella Perera (13-29, with seven against Boise State).
Perera Bombing Away
Freshman Chantella Perera is gradually becoming a fixture in the Bulldog's starting lineup. After pouring in a career-high 25 points in a win over Boise State on Feb. 14, Perera scored 28 points in two games last week (15 vs. Tulsa, 13 vs. Rice). Perera, who has made five starts, is 23-78 overall from the field, with 16 of those coming in the form of three-pointers. As a result, she currently ranks fourth on the team in scoring with 7.4 ppg in 10 games played.
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 41.9 to 35.7, including a season-best 59 against SMU on Feb. 7. Three different players are averaging at least five boards per contest, with Mindy Clark pulling down 8.1, Jasmine Plummer at 6.5 and Aritta Lane at 5.6 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.
Turnovers Have Plagued The 'Dogs
Fresno State has committed 543 turnovers to lead the WAC. The Bulldogs are averaging 21.7 miscues per game and have tallied at least 20 turnovers or more in a game 15 times. Twice the team has handed the ball away 30 times, resulting in a win (53-50 vs. Denver) and a loss (81-59 at Louisiana Tech). Fresno State's opponents are averaging 19.0 turnovers. In 2002-03, Fresno State made 632 turnovers the entire year. Saturday's opponent- Nevada- is just ahead of the Bulldogs with 532 turnovers.
Shaking It Off
Once a strength for Fresno State, this statistic has turned around as of late. The Bulldogs are now 7-7 in games following a loss this season. Last year, Fresno State was 8-3 in games following a defeat, compared to 5-14 during the 2001-02 season.
Call The Plummer
Freshman Jasmine Plummer fell two assists shy of recording a triple-double in the Bulldog's 85-76 win over Tulsa last week. Plummer produced a career-high performance, recording her first double-double with 18 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists in 28 minutes of playing time. After failing to score in double-figures in eight straight games, Plummer has tallied 32 points and 26 rebounds combined in Fresno State's last three contests.
It's That Time Of Year?
Fresno State might have come across the perfect remedy for a losing streak without even stepping on the court. In 2002-03, when the month of February rolled around, the Bulldogs caught fire. Needless to say, the team is looking for a repeat this year as well. Fresno State was 6-1 during the month of February last year and started a five-game winning streak midway through the month that ultimately propelled them to an appearance in the postseason WNIT. Through the first six February games this year, Fresno State stands at 3-3.
Close Calls Going The Other Way
20 out of Fresno State's 34 games in 2002-03 were decided by 10 points or less, with the Bulldogs posting an impressive 14-6 record in such games. This season has been a little different, as the team has played 12 games within 10 points and is sporting a 5-7 record under those circumstances. The Bulldogs are 2-2 in games decided by three points or less, with those losses coming at home in conference play (48-46 to Hawai'i and 52-50 to Boise State).
Freshman Stepping Up For The 'Dogs
Part of Fresno State's early success has hinged on the contributions it has received from three freshmen: Paige Diggs, Brittani Green and Jasmine Plummer.
- Paige Diggs: Diggs enjoyed her best game of the year on Dec. 13 against Santa Clara when she established career highs in points (9) and rebounds (6). Against UTEP on Jan. 17, she played 23 minutes. She is averaging just 3.2 ppg but has provided a spark off the bench the 'Dogs. She is 5-13 from beyond the arc so far this year.
- Brittani Green: The Dallas, Texas, native is developing into a solid post option for the Bulldogs. Green notched a career-high 14 points in a loss at Rice on Jan. 22 and was 10-13 from the charity stripe in that contest. She has been active on the glass, grabbing 73 rebounds and has been consistent from the foul line with an 44-61 clip. She has pulled down at least five boards in a game eight times. Green is sixth on the club in scoring with 4.8 ppg.
- Jasmine Plummer: Aggressive on defense and opportunistic on offense, Plummer notched five assists in her first career game at Washington State and is second on the team with 46. She is currently fifth in scoring with 6.4 ppg and is second on the club in rebounding at 6.5 per contest. Plummer is also leading the team in steals with 36 on the year. Her 19 blocked shots are a team-best.
Recapping the Bulldog's Recent Action:
Rice 71, Fresno State 58 (Feb. 21, 2004 at Fresno, Calif.)
Four different Rice players scored in double-figures as the Lady Owls won their 10th straight game in a 71-58 victory over Fresno State on Saturday at the Save Mart Center. The Lady Owls shot 49.1-percent overall compared to Fresno State's 36.7-percent clip, never trailed in the contest and responded with a clutch basket each time Fresno State made it a one-possession game. Veronica Mack led the Bulldogs with 14 points, while Chantella Perera added 13. Mindy Clark had 10 points and nine boards. With every statistical category relatively even, two numbers jumped out. Fresno State held a 40-34 edge on the boards, while Rice tallied nine of the game's 11 blocked shots. Rice scored the game's first nine points and went up 21-11 with 7:51 left in the first period. A lay-up from Aritta Lane cut the lead to 28-24 before the Lady Owls closed out the half by scoring seven of the next 10 points. Trailing 35-27 at halftime, Fresno State answered with a 12-4 scoring run that knotted the game at 39-39. The Lady Owls responded with back-to-back buckets, but again found themselves leading only 43-42 with 15:15 to go. Fresno State's last scoring push made it 52-50, but Rice went on an 11-0 run to make it 63-50.
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 8.6 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 with 44 treys in 146 chances. Mack is averaging a team-best 27.8 minutes per game.
Clark Controls The Paint
Senior center Mindy Clark has developed into one of the premier post players in the WAC. Clark is currently averaging 8.0 ppg, a clip that is good enough for third on the squad. She is also leading the team with 8.1 rebounds per game and 203 overall. She has recorded six double-doubles this year, including three in the last six games. In a win over Boise State on Feb. 14, Clark established a career-highs with 16 boards to go along with 14 points. Against Cal State Fullerton on Dec. 19, she recorded her first career double-double with a 11 boards and 10 points. Clark has started 20 games.
Driving The Lane
Junior forward Aritta Lane is having an impressive year. Lane is averaging a team-best 12.1 ppg and ranks third in rebounding at 5.6 per game. She is also 78-119 from the free-throw line. Against Santa Clara on Dec. 13, she paced the Bulldogs with a career-high 25 points, and has led the team in scoring 11 times. Lane, tabbed WAC Player of the Week for Dec. 8-14, was also named to All-Tournament Teams at the Fresno State Classic and Oklahoma State Cowgirl Classic.
Home Sweet Home
12 games have been played at the Save Mart Center so far this year and the home crowds have been impressive. Fresno State, now 6-6 at home, has topped the 4,000 mark every time, with the 5,169 fans that turned out for last weekend's contest against Rice representing the largest crowd in program history. The Bulldogs finished 13-2 at home last year. 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 12 games: 55,789
Average attendance through 12 games: 4,649
