Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
9-7, 2-1WAC
San Jose State
1-16, 0-3WAC
Wilson, Bulldogs Cruise To Victory Over San Jose State
1/11/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 11, 2007
Fresno, Calif. - Stifling defense and 15 first-half points from Tierre Wilson helped the Bulldogs win their first conference home game of the year 61-36. Every Fresno State player saw time during the game, even as the Bulldogs held an opponent under 40 points for the first time since 2004. The Bulldogs' homestand continues Saturday, when Fresno State hosts Hawai'i at 1 p.m.
"I was very proud of our defensive effort," said head coach Adrian Wiggins. "We rotated to the right spots, made smart decisions, and expended a lot of energy. Ultimately, any win in the conference is a good win. They are all very important."
Fresno State's defensive effort began in the first half, holding the Spartans under 20 points and holding them to just two points in the first eight minutes of the game. During that period, the Bulldogs relied heavily on Tierre Wilson, who started the game by hitting a three and scored 11 of the team's first 15 points in the game as Fresno State moved out to a 15-6 lead.
San Jose State put together their best run at 6:22, cutting an 11 point lead to 5 at 23-18 after a Lynette Jacobs jumper in just over two minutes, but the Spartans would not score again in the half as Fresno State closed the half with an 8-0 run.
The Bulldogs continued to extend their lead, even as the bench saw more minutes than at any time in the previous year. In particular, freshman Brittny Jones had 8 points and 3 steals in 12 minutes, and Stevie Hagemeister played 13 minutes while seeing her first action of the season.
Up 17 points at the 10-minute mark in the second half, Fresno State unreeled a 10-2 run over the next three minutes, highlighted by a fast-break basket by Chantella Perera along with an intentional foul by Brittany Powell. With the game in control Perera left at that point with 12 points.
On the game, the Spartans shot 30% from the field and turned the ball over 28 times, while Fresno State shot 43.1% on 25-58 shooting.
WAC play continues for the Bulldogs this weekend, as the Bulldogs host Hawai'i in the Save Mart Center at 1 p.m. on Saturday. Fresno State is holding "Public Safety Day" on Saturday, featuring multiple activities with local police and fire departments.
