Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Nevada
Bulldogs Blow Past Nevada
1/31/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 31, 2008
FRESNO, Calif. - In a battle of the top two teams in the WAC, the Fresno State women's basketball team played its best game of the season as they beat the University of Nevada 81-49 on Thursday at the Save Mart Center. The win ups Fresno State's record to 12-9 overall and 7-1 in WAC play and keeps them atop first place in the conference while Nevada dropped to 14-6 and 5-2.
"It was an excellent effort by our players," Fresno State coach Adrian Wiggins said. "In my opinion it was probably our most complete game. Our seniors were very focused tonight which made our team very focused. We had a great commitment on both ends of the floor. We shared the ball and defended really well. I was very proud of our effort. I thought we played a very good basketball game.
The Dogs had four players score in double figures led by 15 points from Jaleesa Ross and Tierre Wilson. Bailey Amundsen had 11 points off the bench while Erica Henry had 10 points. Wilson had a season high 10 rebounds to go along with six assists and four steals. Hayley Munro and Erica Henry each had seven rebounds. The Bulldogs out rebounded Nevada 48-30.
Fresno State shot 47.8 percent from the field and held Nevada to 35 percent shooting and forced them into 22 turnovers. The 49 points scored by Nevada was the fewest the Bulldogs have given up this season.
Nevada did not have a single player score in double figures. Dellena Criner, the WAC's leading scorer at 17.8 points a game overall and 21.5 points a game in WAC contests, was held to eight points on two of six shooting from the field.
"Tierre's assignment was to guard her and I felt she did a really wonderful job," Wiggins said. "She stayed in her stance and did not try and do too much. She just covered her. Tierre is very quick and very strong and she played very smart tonight."
After Nevada scored the opening basket, Fresno State jumped out to a 13-2 lead four minutes into the game following a layup by Wilson. The Bulldogs led 23-14 with 7:37 to play until halftime and extended their lead to 38-24 at halftime.
Fresno State continued its pressure in the second half as they built a 53-34 lead with 13:26 left in the game. The final score of 81-49 was the biggest lead for the Dogs.
Fresno State hits the road for a Monday night contest at Louisiana Tech. Tipoff is at 5 p.m. and the game can be heard live on 790 ESPN Radio, the Deuce.
"Join the State - Fresno State!" - The Fresno State women's basketball team hits the road to continue WAC play against Louisiana Tech Monday, February 4 at 5 p.m. The `Dogs return home to the Save Mart Center against Utah State on Sunday, February 10 at 2 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com, by phone at (559)-485-TIXS, or in person at the Save Mart Center box office.
