Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Melbourne Roos
Bulldogs Dominate Roos
11/9/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 9, 2008
FRESNO, Calif. - Armed with the Australian flag emblazoned on her bicep, Hayley Munro scored 13 points and grabbed 15 rebounds to lead Fresno State past some former teammates on Melbourne Roos, 76-51, Sunday.
"The team gave me the tattoo," said Munro. "I thought I'd show some Aussie pride."
Munro and the defending Western Athletic Conference champion Bulldogs wrapped up their preseason with the second of two exhibition games. Fresno State begins the regular season on Friday, Nov. 14 against CSU Bakersfield at 7 p.m.
The Bulldogs started the game with vigor, as last season's WAC Tournament MVP, Jaleesa Ross, hit a 3-pointer for the game's first shot. Fresno State never looked back.
Although the Roos would respond, the Bulldogs set the pace beyond the Aussies' reach, extending their ever-growing lead to 17-9 within the first 12 minutes.
The Roos reduced the lead to five seconds later, sinking a shot from beyond the arc to make it a 17-12 game. But Fresno State answered with a 14-2 run over the next four minutes.
By the end of the first half, the Bulldogs upped were dominating the Roos 35-16.
The second half saw Fresno State jumping out to a 23-point lead five minutes in before seeming to hover around a 20-point lead. The Roos brought the score to 40-57, the closest score of the half, before the Bulldogs responded with eight straight to make it a 65-40 game with just under six minutes to play.
Fresno State and Melbourne Roos would exchange baskets in the final minutes to close out the game at 76-51.
"It was great to see the girls again," said Munro of her countrymen. "They played hard and it was a good match."
LaShay Fears added to Munro's double-double with 22 points. The junior guard's dominating performance led the team, even while sharing the ball.
"There were definitely times in the first half I wanted to see LaShay shoot more because she was sharing so much," said head coach Adrian Wiggins. "But even with her spreading the ball around, she had 22 points, so I just have to learn to trust her."
Two other Bulldogs hit double figures. Bailey Amundsen scored 11 points including three 3-pointers far beyond the arc and Ross added 10 points.
"I think it's pretty apparent we can shoot the ball and are an offensive unit," said Wiggins. "I would like to see us evolve on both ends of the floor." With the exhitibions complete, both Wiggins and the team believe themselves to be in strong position for the regular season.
"We're still forming our identity, but we are definitely showing that we have skill offensively," said Wiggins. "The exhibitions put us in game atmosphere and give us the opportunity to face structured teams. I don't know that anything really gets you prepared enough for opponents that you are deeming as good or better than you. But we are getting quite a bit out of our exhibition games."
Amundsen agreed.
"We still need some work and I'm glad we have four practices still before our first game," she said. "We have a lot of little things we can fix, but we're in a good place for where we are. We understand our offense and we're willing to work hard."
The Bulldogs face CSU Bakersfield Nov. 14 to open the regular season and will open their home season on Nov. 20 against UC Santa Barbara.
Join the State - Fresno State! Secure your seat now for exciting Bulldog Basketball as season tickets, mini-plans and single game tickets are on sale for the 2008-09 season. To order your tickets visit the Bulldog Ticket Office, call 278-DOGS or visit gobulldogs.com. The `Dogs host the Melbourne Roos in their final exhibition tune-up on Sunday, November 9 at 4:00 pm in the Save Mart Center. The men's Cal State Stanislaus ticket will be valid for the women's game. Tickets are on sale now through the Save Mart Center box office, by calling (559) 485-TIXS or online at ticketmaster.com.
