Fresno State Athletics
Women's Hoops Hosts New Mexico State, Louisiana Tech
1/10/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 10, 2006
Fresno State Bulldogs (9-4, 1-0 WAC) vs.
New Mexico State Aggies (4-9, 1-1 WAC)
Date: Thursday, Jan. 12
Time: 7 p.m.
Site: Fresno, Calif.
Facility: Save Mart Center (16,116)
Series History: New Mexico State leads 3-2
Last Meeting: NMSU 75, FS 57 (Nov. 26, 2000)
Radio: 1430 ESPN Radio (play-by-play: Paul Swearengin)
Tip-Off
Fresno State (9-4, 1-0 WAC) enters the week on a two-game winning streak, representing the first time the club has won back-to-back games in the month of January since 1999. And the momentum comes at a perfect time, with the Bulldogs hosting one of their most important homestands in recent memory. On Thursday night, Fresno State entertains conference newcomer New Mexico State (4-9, 1-1 WAC) at 7 p.m. Two days later, four-time defending WAC champion Louisiana Tech (10-3, 2-0 WAC) arrives in town for a 1 p.m. contest that gives the winner an early edge in the conference race.
Watch The `Dogs From Press Row
In the latest auction featured on www.gobulldogs.com, two individuals have the opportunity to watch Saturday's game against Louisiana Tech from press row and experience the behind-the-scenes gameday atmosphere. Also included in the package are the following: two credentials, copy of game program and in-game statistics, access to pre-game media meal, access to post-game press conference with head coach Adrian Wiggins and selected players and pre-game tour of Bulldog lockerroom. In addition, the auction winners will be introduced over the public address system with recognition on the video board. Both participants must be at least 16 years of age or older.
Upcoming Promotions
Fans can redeem a two-for-one coupon for one free general admission ticket with the purchase of a ticket of equal or greater value. Refer to the right sidebar of the women's basketball page on www.gobulldogs.com to print coupon.
Scouting New Mexico State
One of three new schools joining the WAC in 2005-06, New Mexico State checks in at 4-9 overall and 1-1 in the WAC heading into Thursday night's game against Fresno State. The Aggies finished last year 9-19 overall and 4-11 in the Sun Belt conference, which translated into a fifth place finish. New Mexico State endured a rough start to the season, dropping its first six contests before back-to-back road wins at UC Irvine and Cal Poly. Two of the Aggies' nine losses have come at the hands of nationally-ranked in-state rival New Mexico (79-77 in double-overtime on Dec. 21 and 55-42 on Jan. 1). The Aggies split a homestand last weekend, closing out the action with a 61-60 overtime win over Boise State in which they rallied from a 15-point deficit. New Mexico State is led by Irma Kmitaite, who is averaging 13.0 ppg while having started all 13 games.
Fresno State All-Time Against New Mexico State
The two schools have met five times on the hardwood, with New Mexico State owning a slim 3-2 edge. The last meeting between these teams came on Nov. 26, 2000, as the Aggies defeated the Bulldogs 75-57 in the championship game of the 4th annual Fresno State Classic. Fresno State and New Mexico State were members of the Big West from 1991-92, squaring off twice in both years. The Bulldog's most recent victory in the series was a 78-76 win on Jan. 16, 1992.
Scouting Louisiana Tech
Louisiana Tech is the four-time defending WAC champion and has again been picked to win the conference by the coaches and media. The gap between the Lady Techsters and the rest of the league is quickly shrinking though and the Bulldogs, picked to finish second in both polls, would love to make a statement on Saturday afternoon. That's not to say Louisiana Tech is in trouble. The Lady Techsters entered the week with a record of 10-3 and have won five consecutive games. The non-conference schedule was challenging, as Louisiana Tech squared off against the likes of Mississippi, Iowa and No. 1 Tennessee. The Lady Techsters are guided by first-year head coach Chris Long. Louisiana Tech is led by Preseason WAC Player of the Year Tasha Williams. Aarica Ray-Boyd leads the club with 13.2 ppg and has connected on 36-104 three-pointers.
Fresno State All-Time Against Louisiana Tech
The next win Fresno State gets over Louisiana Tech will be its first, as the Lady Techsters own a commanding 11-0 all-time lead. Six of the first nine games played between the two teams resulted in Louisiana Tech victories by margins of at least 20 points. However, Fresno State has closed the gap and the previous three contests have all been decided by 10 points or less. That includes last year's 92-87 double-overtime thriller in the WAC Tournament semifinals, as Fresno State held a double-digit lead prior to a furious Lady Techster rally.
`Dogs Get A Close Call
When Fresno State defeated Utah State 60-58 in the WAC opener, it represented the first time in almost two years the team won a game by less than three points (77-75 in overtime on Feb. 14, 2004 at Boise State). It was the club's first win by less than three points under the guidance of head coach Adrian Wiggins.
Conference Chatter, Part 1
Fresno State has won back-to-back games in the month of January for the first time since 1999, when the Bulldogs recorded consecutive wins over Nevada, Cal Poly and San Jose State (Jan. 2-9). However, Nevada and Cal Poly were not members of the WAC during that season. That means the Bulldogs have not posted back-to-back conference wins in the month of January since a three-game winning streak over San Jose State, UNLV and Air Force back during the 1996-97 campaign (Jan. 11-18).
Conference Chatter, Part 2
Fresno State has won four straight regular-season conference games dating back to last season, when the `Dogs closed out league play with victories over Nevada, San Jose State and Hawai'i. That's the best WAC regular-season winning streak since 2002-03, when the Bulldogs won five straight contests during their 21-win campaign.
WAC Leaders
Fresno State is the WAC leader in: field-goal percentage (43.4), rebounding defense (34.0 per game), rebounding margin (+9.2) and offensive rebounds (219). Individually, Chantella Perera leads the WAC and ranks 20th in the nation in free throw percentage, having knocked down 37-42 for 88.1-percent.
Post Player Production
With opposing defenses focusing on Amy Parrish, Fresno State's other post players have excelled in the early going. Three players are currently boasting a field-goal percentage of 50-percent or better. Leading the group is Jasmine Plummer, who is shooting 60-percent (24-40) while leading the team in steals and blocks. Brittani Green has started nine games and is shooting 53.4-percent while scoring 5.1 points per game. Andrea Roberson, who is averaging just 11.2 minutes, is shooting 58.8-percent while hauling in 3.8 rpg. Erica Henry, who scored only 17 points in 15 games as a freshman, is close behind at 47.5-percent from the field while averaging 5.3 ppg.
Welcome Back
Guards Mirenda Swearengin and Tierre Wilson, who sat out the fall semester after being ruled academically ineligible, have made immediate contributions since returning to the lineup. Perhaps most importantly, the return of Swearengin and Wilson allows the Bulldogs to play at their desired up-tempo pace. Through five games, Swearengin is averaging 14.8 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game while shooting 51.6-percent from the field. In 29 minutes of action off the bench against Arizona, Wilson registered her first career double-double with 14 points and 10 boards. She is usually the first player off the bench and is averaging 9.6 ppg and 4.0 rpg.
Last Time Out:
Fresno State 60, Utah State 58 (Jan. 7 at Logan, Utah)
Leading 29-18 at halftime, Fresno State held off a furious second-half charge by Utah State and escaped with a 60-58 in the WAC opener. With 9.6 seconds remaining, Mirenda Swearengin missed her first free throw attempt but knocked down her second to give the Bulldogs a 60-58 lead. On the final possession of the game, Utah State's Taylor Richards misfired on an off-balance jumper and time expired. Despite trailing 29-18 at halftime, Utah State regrouped after intermission and eventually took a 52-47 lead with 7:39 remaining in the contest. The Aggies shot 46.4-percent over the final 20 minutes while the Bulldogs went cold from the field, making just 9-32 for a 28.1-percent clip. Fresno State was led by Amy Parrish, who contributed 16 points and nine rebounds. Swearengin added 12 points and nine boards while Tierre Wilson chipped in with 11. Chantella Perera scored just five points but dished out a career-high eight assists.
Winning The Rebound Battle
Fresno State has earned a reputation as a solid rebounding club in recent seasons and this year is no different. The Bulldogs, who have outrebounded their opponent in all but three games, are averaging 43.2 boards per game while allowing only 34.0. That's a difference of +9.2, a mark that ranks tops in the WAC and 19th in the nation. Fresno State has pulled down at least 50 boards in a game on four different occasions, including a season-best 58 at Utah Valley State. Four different players are averaging at least four per contest.
Parrish The Thought
Amy Parrish is doing her best to provide an encore to last season's impressive campaign in which she garnered first-team All-WAC honors. She ranks second on the team with 14.7 ppg while pulling down 7.8 rpg. She has scored in double-figures in all but two games, her field-goal percentage stands at 46.1-percent and she has even knocked down 12-36 three-pointers. Parrish has registered four 20-point games and posted two double-doubles. Against Utah Valley State on Nov. 26, she snagged a career-best 18 rebounds.
Plummer Gives `Dogs A Lift
One of three players to start every game, Jasmine Plummer continues to develop into a solid all-around player in the Bulldog lineup. She is averaging only 4.2 points per game but her contributions in transition and on defense are invaluable. Plummer currently ranks third on the squad in rebounding (5.6 per game) and leads the team in blocked shots (23) and steals (26) while shooting 60-percent. Despite being such a factor on offense though, she is only 6-7 from the free throw line through 13 games.
Winning Big With Wiggins
The Bulldogs have posted a 16-8 overall record under the direction of head coach Adrian Wiggins, who has been at the helm of the `Dogs since Feb. 9, 2005. In those 24 games, Fresno State has tallied some impressive wins. Of the 16 victories under Wiggins, 13 have been of the double-digit variety. Fresno State has also registered a 11-1 record in games played at the Save Mart Center under Wiggins' guidance, with the only loss coming in the form of a 68-52 loss at the hands of No. 10 Arizona State on Dec. 15.
Fresno State All-Time At The Save Mart Center
Fresno State, 5-1 in home games this year, has compiled a 22-13 overall record in games played at the Save Mart Center since the arena opened in 2003. The Bulldog's inaugural season in the arena 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 programs. Last year, Fresno State ranked 22nd in both total and average attendance and a record crowd of 7,042 watched the `Dogs 58-38 win over Pepperdine in the opener.
