Fresno State Athletics
Women's Basketball Leading WAC; Travels To New Mexico State
1/24/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
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Jan. 24, 2006
Fresno State Bulldogs (13-4, 5-0 WAC) at
New Mexico State Aggies (5-11, 2-3 WAC)
Date: Thursday, Jan. 26
Time: 6 p.m. PST
Site: Las Cruces, NM
Facility: Pan American Center (13,071)
Series History: Series tied 3-3
Last Meeting: FS 68, NMSU 52 (Jan. 12, 2006)
Radio: 1430 ESPN Radio (Play-by-Play: Brian Risso)
LOOKING AHEAD...
Fresno State Bulldogs at
Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters (12-4, 4-1 WAC)
Date: Saturday, Jan. 28
Time: 5 p.m. PST
Site: Ruston, La.
Tip-Off
Fresno State (13-4, 5-0 WAC) tries for its longest winning streak since 1988 when it plays a pair of road games this weekend. The Bulldogs enter the final week of January with the conference lead and a six-game winning streak. They'll look to extend it to seven on Thursday night, when they travel to Las Cruces to take on WAC newcomer New Mexico State (5-11, 2-3 WAC). Two nights later, Fresno State pays a visit to Ruston, La., looking for a season sweep of four-time defending WAC champion Louisiana Tech (12-4, 4-1 WAC). Two weeks ago, Fresno State defeated both teams at home.
Someone Has Noticed...
Fresno State received one vote in this week's Associated Press top-25 poll. The Bulldogs last made an apperance in the national rankings in 1987.
Scouting New Mexico State
One of three new schools joining the WAC in 2005-06, New Mexico State checks in at 5-11 overall and 2-3 in conference play. 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' losses have come at the hands of nationally-ranked rival New Mexico. The Aggies hold a 2-1record in overtime games, including WAC wins against Boise State (61-60 in OT) and Hawai'i (72-69 in 2OT). Last week, New Mexico State dropped a 79-72 decision to Louisiana Tech at home. The Aggies are averaging 59.2 ppg and 37.8 rpg while shooting 36.2-percent from the field. Irma Kmitaite is the only player in double-figure scoring at 13 points per game. Head coach Darin Spence is in his third season at the helm.
Fresno State All-Time Against New Mexico State
The two schools have met six times on the hardwood and the series is now even at 3-3. Back on Jan. 12, Fresno State routed New Mexico State 68-52 at the Save Mart Center, thanks to 21 points from Amy Parrish and a 51-32 edge on the boards overall. Prior to that victory, New Mexico State had won the previous two meetings. Fresno State is 0-2 in games played in Las Cruces.
Who's Hot Against New Mexico State?
The current Bulldog roster has only faced off against New Mexico State once- in the game played in Fresno two weeks ago. In that contest, Amy Parrish scored a game-best 21 points and snagged nine rebounds while Tierre Wilson (12 points, nine rebounds) and Mirenda Swearengin (11 points, six boards) also enjoyed success against the Aggies.
Scouting Louisiana Tech
Louisiana Tech (12-4, 4-1 WAC) is the four-time defending WAC champion and has again been picked to win the conference by the coaches and media. However, Fresno State's statement 67-58 victory two weeks ago at the Save Mart Center has the Lady Techsters now chasing the Bulldogs. Aside from that loss, Louisiana Tech has managed to win four of its first five WAC games prior to hosting San Jose State on Thursday. In their only game last week, the Lady Techsters edged New Mexico State 79-72 in Las Cruces. The non-conference schedule was challenging, as Louisiana Tech squared off against the likes of Mississippi, Iowa and No. 1 Tennessee. Despite shooting 38.8-percent, Louisiana Tech is averaging 72.8 ppg and does a good job of getting to the foul line (307-424). Tasha Williams (13.4 ppg, 97-122 free throws) leads the squad. The Lady Techsters are guided by first-year head coach Chris Long.
Fresno State All-Time Against Louisiana Tech
One of the biggest crowds of the year witnessed Fresno State's 67-58 upset of Louisiana Tech back on Jan. 14- the Bulldog's first-ever victory in 12 attempts against the Lady Techsters. Six of the first nine games resulted in Louisiana Tech victories by margins of at least 20 points. Prior to the Bulldog's triumph two weeks ago, the three previous contests were decided by 10 points or less. That included last year's 92-87 double-overtime thriller in the WAC Tournament semifinals, as Louisiana Tech erased a double-digit deficit to earn the win.
Who's Hot Against Louisiana Tech?
In six games, Jasmine Plummer has made 14-31 from the field (45.1-percent) to go along with 28 rebounds. Amy Parrish has enjoyed some success in four games, having made 21-49 from the field with 32 rebounds. Also in four games, Tierre Wilson is 10-22 from the field (45.5-percent) with 18 rebounds.
Conference Chatter
Fresno State has won eight 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. The program record stands at nine, as the Bulldogs won five games to close out the 1985-86 campaign and then recorded four more victories to start 1986-87. Fresno State's 12-6 ledger in the PCAA during the 1986-87 campaign represents its best conference record.
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 five games, are averaging 43.1 boards per game while allowing only 34.6. That's a difference of +8.5, a mark that ranks tops in the WAC and 18th in the nation. Fresno State has pulled down at least 50 boards in a game on five different occasions, including a season-best 58 at Utah Valley State. Four different players are averaging at least five rebounds per contest.
WAC Leaders
As a team, Fresno State leads the WAC in five different categories: field-goal percentage (43.8-percent), scoring margin (+8.4), rebounding defense (34.6), rebounding margin (+8.5) and assists (260). In conference games only, the Bulldogs are tops in field-goal percentage, scoring margin, assists and steals. Individually, Mirenda Swearengin is the leader for assists in WAC games (29).
Last Time Out:
Fresno State 77, Hawai'i 52 (Jan. 21, 2006 at Fresno, Calif.)
Mirenda Swearengin nearly recorded a triple-double and four Bulldog players scored in double-figures in Fresno State's 77-52 rout of Hawai'i on Saturday night at the Save Mart Center. Coming off a nine-assist performance at Idaho two nights ago, Swearengin appeared to be a lock to accomplish the feat. However, she finished the game with nine assists to go along with her 12 points and career-high 12 rebounds. Swearengin- who also racked up seven steals- was taken out of the game with under four minutes remaining, receiving a loud applause from the season-high crowd of 3,124. Amy Parrish led the Bulldogs with 14 points while Chantella Perera and Tierre Wilson added 13 and 12, respectively. Fresno State dominated the contest, shooting 43.9-percent while holding a 22-12 edge in assists and 19-12 advantage in steals. Fresno State took a 41-22 edge into the lockerroom, with Swearengin posting first-half totals of eight points, six rebounds, seven assists and five steals.
Post Player Production
With opposing defenses focusing on Amy Parrish, Fresno State's other post players have been impressive. Three post players are currently boasting a field-goal percentage of 50-percent or better. Leading the group is Jasmine Plummer, who is shooting 62.7-percent (32-51) while leading the team in steals and blocks. Brittani Green has started 13 games and is shooting 52.4-percent while scoring 5.5 points per game. Andrea Roberson, who is averaging just 11.1 minutes, is shooting 53.2-percent while hauling in 3.5 rpg. Erica Henry, who scored only 17 points in 15 games as a freshman, is close behind at 48.1-percent from the field while averaging 5.4 ppg.
Score At The Half
How do you predict a Fresno State victory? Glance at the scoreboard after the first 20 minutes of action. When the Bulldogs lead at the half, they are 12-0. In games they trail at intermission, they own a ledger of 1-4. When the Bulldogs turned a 28-26 halftime deficit into a 56-50 victory at San Diego on Dec. 5, it signaled the first time Fresno State rallied to win after trailing at the half since Feb. 14, 2004. In that game, Fresno State was down 32-30 at halftime and ended up winning 77-75 in overtime at Boise State.
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 nine games, Swearengin is averaging 13.2 points, 6.8 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game while shooting 45.9-percent from the field. In 29 minutes of action off the bench against Arizona on Dec. 17, 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 10.7 ppg and 5.2 rpg.
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 leads the team with 15.2 ppg while pulling down 7.1 rpg. She has scored in double-figures in all but three games, her field-goal percentage stands at 48.1-percent and she has even knocked down 16-47 three-pointers. Parrish has registered six 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 (5.5 per game) and leads the team in blocked shots (32) and steals (38) while shooting 62.1-percent. Despite being such a factor on offense though, she is only 7-9 from the free throw line through 17 games.
Winning Big With Wiggins
The Bulldogs have posted a 20-8 overall record under the direction of head coach Adrian Wiggins, who has been at the helm of the `Dogs since Feb. 9, 2005. Of the 20 victories under Wiggins, 16 have been of the double-digit variety. Fresno State has also registered a 14-1 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.
No Place Like Home For Wilson
Tierre Wilson has made an impact coming off the bench since her return to the lineup on Dec. 17, averaging 10.5 ppg and 5.0 rpg. However through nine games, it is very clear that she prefers the home court at the Save Mart Center. In five home games, Wilson is averaging 13.8 ppg, 7.0 rpg while shooting 52.8-percent. Meanwhile in four road games, she is averaging 6.8 ppg, 3.0 rpg while shooting at a 35.7-percent clip.
