Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
(3-2Overall)
Cal State Fullerton
(2-5Overall)
Comeback Bid Falls Short Against Cal State Fullerton
11/28/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 28, 2006
Fullerton, Calif. - Jasmine Marshall buried a three-pointer with 44.6 seconds remaining to pull within two points at 58-56, but late success from the line proved to be the difference as Cal State Fullerton held off the Bulldogs on Tuesday 61-56. Fresno State's Chantella Perera led the Bulldogs with 14 points on the game, but 34 turnovers and 2-9 shooting from three points undid the `Dogs on the night. The team returns home on Friday, when the Bulldogs will try to set the women's attendance record against No. 23 Texas Tech.
Neither team was able to get hot from the field in the first half, with Cal State Fullerton particularly hitting iron in the first half as the Bulldogs held the Titans to just 12-38 shooting in the opening period. The opening ten minutes was the toughest on both teams. Fresno State's Jenny Thigpin scored an early layup from the right side to open the game, but then both teams faltered as the Bulldogs and Titans combined for just 10 points over the next eight minutes, ending with a layup from Erica Henry.
Over that stretch, Fresno State held the Titans to 2 of 14 shooting from the field, but just as the Bulldogs began to get some offensive production, Toni Thomas got going for the Titans, scoring six quick points as part of 10 straight from her to open the game.
Fresno State finally broke out for their biggest lead of the half. Chantella Perera stole a pass at halfcourt and returned it for two points, and after a jumper from Jasmine Marshall and a second layup by Perera the Bulldogs held a 17-13 lead. Cal State Fullerton worked their way back even with the Bulldogs and regained the lead following a three from India McDaniel 4:39 remaining.
Bookending the half, Thigpin poured in four points near end of the half to stay close, but two more Titan three pointers and a last second layup gave Cal State Fullerton a 28-26 lead going into the break.
Opening the second half with the ball, the Bulldogs quickly scored hitting Perera for the team's first three of the ballgame. However over the next five minutes, a 4-0 Titans run made the score 32-29 Titans.
After exchanging baskets, a Perera drive plus a foul tied the game at 34-34 with 13:00 remaining, and a Henry foul shot along with a Jenny Thigpin hook gave the Bulldogs a three-point lead as the teams passed the 10-minute mark.
Fullerton would answer back however, making a three pointer to tie the game, and after a quick basket a Charlie Underwood three-point play gave the Titans their largest lead of the game with nine minutes to play. Fullerton would continue to extend their lead, growing to nine points as after Audrey Taylor hit a jumper from the wing for a 48-39 Cal State Fullerton lead.
Fresno State worked back to a 52-43 deficit, and then worked the post for three consecutive Brittani Green baskets underneath while coming up with stops on the Fullerton end to pull within three with 4:17 remaining at 52-49.
Tierre Wilson scored on a fast break to pull the Bulldogs within two at 54-52, but three consecutive makes from the free throw line gave the Titans a late five point lead. Thomas and Underwood both finished the game with 15 points for Cal State Fullerton.
