Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Utah Valley State
Women's Basketball Routs Utah Valley State, 57-36
2/23/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Feb. 23, 2005
FRESNO, Calif.- Fresno State's aggressive pressure defense turned out to be the difference in a 57-36 victory over Utah Valley State on Wednesday night in front of 3,409 at the Save Mart Center.The Bulldogs (16-9, 7-8 WAC) racked up a season-high 21 steals and forced the Wolverines into 31 turnovers. Utah Valley State (2-20) was trapped in the backcourt during the majority of the game and when the Wolverines did break the press, they could only manage low-percentage shots with very little time left on the shot clock.
Fresno State- which shot 42.1-percent overall- placed three players in double-figures, led by Aritta Lane's 14 points on 7-8 shooting. Mirenda Swearengin contributed 10 points, eight assists, five steals and four rebounds while Tierre Wilson added 10 points off the bench.
Utah Valley State connected at a 31.1-percent clip from the field, yet was led by the game's high-scorer in Miriam Palkki with 15 points.
The Bulldogs, who snapped a two-game losing streak, outrebounded the Wolverines 33-31 and dished out 19 assists. All 14 eligible players saw floor time in the victory including crowd favorite Angelica Lopez, who played the final seven minutes and notched her second career basket when she made a lay-up at the 6:42 mark off an assist from Veronica Mack.
Fresno State, which led throughout the entire contest, jumped out to a 12-2 lead in the first five minutes of the game. A 12-6 scoring run followed, giving the Bulldogs their largest lead of the first half at 24-8 with 8:18 remaining. The `Dogs reached intermission holding a 31-18 edge.
A three-pointer from Palkki brought Utah Valley State within 37-26 at the 11:33 mark of the second half, only to see Fresno State respond with a 14-6 scoring burst.
Fresno State stretched their lead to 20+ following the late lay-up from Lopez and held on for the 21-point win.
The Bulldogs continue their homestand on Saturday, Feb. 26, against Nevada. Tip-off is set for 5 p.m., as the game is the first of a doubleheader with the men's team.
