Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Louisiana Tech
Bulldogs Make Statement in 75-52 win over La. Tech
1/3/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 3, 2008
FRESNO, Calif. - The Bulldogs are ready for the real season to begin!
That was the statement the Fresno State women's basketball team made to Louisiana Tech and the rest of the Western Athletic Conference on Thursday night at the Save Mart Center. The Bulldogs downed the Lady Techsters 75-52 in the conference opener, winning their fourth straight while improving to 6-8 on the season.
It was the fourth consecutive win in WAC openers for the Bulldogs, who used efficient three-point shooting and suffocating defense to build a 25-point halftime cushion. The victory also marked the third consecutive home win for the Bulldogs over Louisiana Tech.
Erica Henry led Fresno State with 16 points, while Bailey Amundsen, Jaleesa Ross and Tierre Wilson also reached double-figures. Henry also had eight rebounds, four steals and two blocks.
Fresno State shot nearly 50-percent from beyond the arc on 12-of-25 shooting for the game. The 12 threes tied a season-high for the Bulldogs who also had a dozen from long range against Cal-State Bakersfield on Dec. 15.
Fresno State took an early 7-0 advantage to start the game and never relinquished the lead. Haley Munro opened the scoring with a layup and Henry converted a three-point play after being fouled on a layup. Munro then followed with a jumper from 10-feet.
Fresno State increased its lead to 20-10 on two straight Wilson three-pointers. Then the `Dogs took a 16 point advantage with less than seven minutes left in the first half after two consecutive Jaleesa Ross threes.
Fresno State finished the first half on 16-4 run, leading 46-21 at the break. The Bulldogs ended the first half shooting 50-percent from the field and 53-percent from downtown on 9-17 shooting.
In the second half, Lousiana Tech cut the deficit to 13 points. But the Bulldogs used offensive rebounds and steals to increase their lead back to 20 in the final two minutes of the contest.
Twelve Bulldogs logged minutes and 10 players got in the scorebook. The `Dogs created 11 steals and forced 22 turnovers.
Wilson tallied her 25th consecutive game of double-figures in points on a steal and layup with 1:39 left in the game. Hayley Munro had a team-high seven assists.
The Bulldogs will look to continue their momentum on Saturday against Boise State at 1 p.m. in the Save Mart Center.
Quotes by Head Coach Adrian Wiggins
"Obviously we are pretty proud tonight of our efforts. They really shared the ball well. We faced a great rebounding team tonight and we came out tied, and that's a big step for us in becoming a great rebounding team. They are a good team and we did a good job of executing both offensively and defensively."
"To beat Louisiana Tech is a big accomplishment. We will celebrate, but we understand tomorrow is a new day and Boise State will be tough Saturday."
"It (our schedule) has tested us. We have had a long first half of the season. Anyone in our league can beat us and we can beat anyone."
On Erica: "I'm very proud of her. It's about a lot of other things than making baskets. She does a lot of things for us. She's a great student, she's a good leader, she's a good example, she's a good teammate and I'm glad she is a around a little bit longer."
"She had always been a very good defender and offensively she has done nothing but get better every year and right now what she is doing is getting good positioning. She caught the ball in great positions to score and she finished. I expect her to do that. She always knocked done some free-throws which is also a nice motivator. She played big and that's what you want your seniors to do and she really stepped up."
On Jaleesa Ross: "Jaleesa is growing as a player. To be a great outside shooter and rebound in a rarity in college basketball. She did a good job tonight."
"Jaleesa is very poised and she approaches it (the game) with pride and doesn't get too high or too low and that's a sign of a good shooter."
On Boise State: "They are the only team that shoots the three better than us in our conference. They are very confident and I'm really ready for this game. They are well coached and will play hard."
Quotes by Erica Henry
"I'm coming out to play good basketball. I want o win a WAC Championship and I'm trying to accomplish that goal."
Quotes by Jaleesa Ross
"It feels good to hit my first shot, but if I don't I'm looking to hit the next one."
"Join the State - Fresno State!" - The Fresno State women's basketball team continues play at the Save Mart Center on Saturday, January 5 against Boise State at 1 p.m. The team will be signing autographs after the game and it's Take a Kid to the Game Night as all kids in the 8th grade and under will receive a free ticket when accompanied by a paying adult. Tickets for this promotion are available in person at the Save Mart Center box office.
