Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
17-13, 9-7
Boise State
23-8, 12-4
Bulldogs Tournament Hopes Downed By Boise State
3/9/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
March 9, 2007
Las Cruces, N.M. - Boise State's Jessica Thompson scored 22 second-half points to outpace Tierre Wilson's 18 as the Broncos upended Fresno State in the WAC Tournament semifinals. Wilson also led the Bulldogs on the boards with eight rebounds. With the 68-59 loss, the Bulldogs record stands at 18-13, as the team waits on a potential WNIT berth.
Hampered by poor shooting, the Bulldogs finished just 17-57 on the game, and were outrebounded 47-36. That included second half shooting of just 22%, which was only offset by the Bulldogs day at the line, where the Bulldogs were 22-27, led by Chantella Perera who was 6-6.
"Boise State did everything they needed to do. They definitely deserve to play tomorrow," [in the championship game] said head coach Adrian Wiggins. For us, we had some troubles in execution and in particular had poor shot selection, mainly because we were trying too hard, I think. I'm still very proud of our team, and proud of what we did today."
Coming out with a very fast tempo, Fresno State converted two early fast break baskets and moved ahead 9-2 in the early minutes. Wilson was especially strong in the early going, shooting 5-8 and scoring 13 points total in the first half.
Boise State slowly began to pull back the score, coming within 2 at 14-12, and eventually tying the game at 18. Paige Diggs scored a basket and one to keep the Bulldogs ahead, and a Wilson steal helped Fresno State to a 28-23 advantage with three minutes to play.
Both teams settled back in, and the Bulldogs brought a 30-28 lead into the break.
Finding Michelle Hessing and Tasha Harris for quick baskets, Boise State was able to take their first lead coming out of the half at 34-33, and moved ahead 40-33 before Wilson hit her second three of the game. The Bulldogs cut the lead to two after Wilson hit two free throws after a technical foul on the Boise State bench.
Boise State would bring the lead back to seven one more time, but an Andrea Roberson three along with two Perera free throws tied the game at 47. With the game then tied at 49, Fresno State got three straight stops and took the lead at 51-49. Boise State scored six straight points to move back into the lead at 55-51.
Fresno State fought back to a 57-57 tie, but Jessica Thompson hit two straight layups to put Boise back up by four points. Under that deficit, the Bulldogs couldn't hit a basket through two possessions under two minutes and Boise State hit their free throws down the stretch to get the win.
