Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
16-12,WAC 8-7
Boise State
20-8,WAC 11-4
Bulldogs Fall In Tough Battle At Boise State
3/1/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
March 1, 2007
Boise, Idaho - 14 points from Tierre Wilson and 11 from Paige Diggs did not end up being enough as Fresno State lost a physical ballgame in Boise on Thursday night 69-63. The Bulldogs held the advantage until near the end of the ballgame, where the loss of Wilson to a foulout and a charging call against the Bulldogs took the opportunity for a Fresno State win. The Bulldogs return home to close out the regular season against Utah State at 1 p.m. on Saturday.
Fresno State got a quick start as Wilson was hot early, hitting a jumper in the lane and then a three to put the Bulldogs up 8-4. Fresno State continued with that momentum, as an Andrea Roberson 3 helped Bulldogs move up 13-6 as both teams increased their defensive pressure.
Stretching out their advantage at that point to nine points at 19-10, Boise State proved why they were at the top of the standings though most of the year, starting a 13-4 run which tied game at 23 with six minutes to play.
Chantella Perera answered with a three-pointer from the corner, and Diggs hit her first three of the year to help kick start a quick run from Fresno State as the Bulldogs scored 10 straight points over the next 3 minutes to take a 33-23 lead. Fresno State would close out the half at that distance, finishing with a 39-29 score.
Boise State took the momentum out of the half, cutting the lead down to five in the first five minutes, and cut the lead down to two at 43-41. Baskets from Erica Henry and Wilson stymied the Bronco advantage, and Fresno State eased their lead back out to six.
With a technical foul called against the Bulldogs, the Broncos played their way back into game and eventually tied the game at 54-54 after a Michelle Hessing layup. Wilson put the Bulldogs back into the lead with a 3-pointer from the wing, and Fresno State stood ahead a 59-57 when Wilson fouled out with 3:28 to play.
From that point, the Bulldogs held a 61-60 lead, but two missed free throws by Diggs opened up a chance for the Broncos to take a lead, which they did, converting two baskets in the post to take a 64-61 lead. Perera answered with a drive through the lane, cutting the lead back to one with a minute to play. With a chance to take the lead, Perera missed a fast break layup, and a foul sent Tasha Harris to the line where she made one of two shots. A charging call on Perera gave Boise State the ball back, and the Broncos hit their free throws down the stretch to seal the win.
Fresno State finishes the regular season on Saturday, hosting Utah State in both teams' WAC finale. Prior to the game, Fresno State will honor their five seniors as part of Senior Day festivities. The game is scheduled to tip off at 1 p.m.
