Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
8-4
Long Beach State
3-8
Bulldogs Take Down Long Beach State
12/29/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 29, 2008
FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State women's basketball team came back from the Christmas break and defeated in-state foe Long Beach State 76-63 on Monday evening at the Save Mart Center. The win ups the Bulldogs record to 8-4 while Long Beach State fell to 3-8.
"We played two different games tonight," Fresno State coach Adrian Wiggins said. "The first half we played really good basketball and in the second half we have to learn how to capture momentum and swing it back. As this team grows they will learn how to change momentum. I was pleased that we had a great week of practice and that we took care of business tonight."
Hayley Munro scored a game-high 17 points while grabbing nine rebounds. Bailey Amundsen had 15 points and six rebounds while Jaleesa Ross had 13 points. The Bulldogs outshot the 49ers, 43 percent to 41 percent and out rebounded them 42-34.
The Bulldogs never trailed in the game and led by as many 19 points at halftime, 43-24. The `Dogs jumped out to a 7-0 and 9-2 lead in the first five minutes of the game. Long Beach State cut the lead to 14-11 at the 11:39 mark but Fresno State responded with a 12-3 run to lead 26-14 following a 3-pointer by Amundsen.
The `Dogs led 36-24 after another Ross 3-pointer with 2:27 remaining until they break. Fresno State then scored the final seven points to lead 43-24 at halftime. The Bulldogs jumped out to a 48-26 lead in the first three minutes of the second half. Long Beach State then went on a 21-5 run to cut the Bulldog lead to 53-47 with 8:35 to play. The 49ers got within three at 58-55 and 60-57 with 5:16 to play.
But a layup by Amundsen and a jumper by Ross extended the Fresno State lead to 64-57 with 3:34 remaining in the game. The closest Long Beach State was five at 64-59 with 2:29 left.
Munro then finished the game hitting four-of-four free throws and hit a half-court shot at the buzzer to give Fresno State the 13-point win.
"Join the State - Fresno State"-Fresno State closes out its nonconference schedule with a game at UNLV on January 2. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. The Bulldogs return to the Save Mart Center when they play host to Boise State on January 5 at 7 p.m.
