Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Australian Roos (Exhib.)
Basketball Finishes Warmup With 80-54 Win Over Roos
11/7/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 7, 2006
Fresno, Calif. - Fresno State women's basketball fans got their first look at their 2006-07 team as the Bulldogs took to the hardwood for the first time Tuesday night in an exhibition match against the Melbourne (Australia) Roos. Four players scored in double figures for the Bulldogs, led by guard Tierre Wilson who had 17 on the night.
While the final score was a rout in favor of Fresno State, the game was not as simple early, as a motivated Roos squad came out an opened up an 8-0 run over the first three minutes of the game. The Roos kept that lead through the 16:22 mark, when head coach Adrian Wiggins spent a :30 second timeout to collect the team behind 10-2 in their first action on the year.
With a stronger focus on defense, the Bulldogs climbed back into the game on the strength of a three-pointer from the top of the key by Chantella Perera. Wilson then followed that play up with a bucket off the glass and a layup to put the Bulldogs ahead 13-12 with 12 minutes remaining in the first half. The team would never trail again in the contest.
Moving ahead with a 9-2 run over the next four minutes, Fresno State would begin to get a look at the players that would replace their two top scorers from 2005-06, Amy Parrish and Mirenda Swearengin. "You're not going to replace players like those two," said Wilson. "What we can do is get into a rhythm, and decide what this team is going to do to get rolling."
Another inside/outside presence is brewing for the Bulldogs however, as Wilson and center Jenny Thigpin began to take over the contest. Thigpin, a transfer from Arizona State, sat out the 2005-06 season due to NCAA transfer regulations, but in her first appearance as a Bulldog had a very strong game, scoring 16 points and grabbing five rebounds. Thigpin and Wilson led all scorers in the period, each contributing 8, as the Bulldogs ended the first half with a 39-22 lead.
Not repeating their slow start of the first half, the Bulldogs took the inbounds pass at halfcourt and quickly worked the ball inside for a Thigpin layup off of a great pass from guard Jasmine Marshall to move out to a 41-22 lead.
Using their cushion, the Bulldogs got a good look at some of the other players that will be expected to step up in the coming year. Senior Andrea Roberson especially contributed with an outstanding game, scoring 16 points, grabbing nine rebounds, making three steals and capped everything off with a huge block with seven minutes left in the game. Senior Paige Diggs also had a successful return to the court, scoring 12 points and dishing out four assists.
Fresno State will open their regular season on the road this year, traveling to Utah for a Monday night tilt with the Utes in Salt Lake. The Utes are receiving votes in the initial preseason poll, and will provide a good first test for the `Dogs. Tipoff for that game is scheduled for 6 p.m. Pacific time.
