Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Idaho
Bulldogs Win Fourth-Straight, Down Idaho 68-38
2/14/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Feb. 14, 2008
FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State women's basketball team won its fourth-straight contest on Thursday evening, beating Idaho 68-38 behind an all-around team effort. The Bulldogs improved to 15-9 overall and 10-1 in Western Athletic Conference play, maintaining the top spot in the league.
Fresno State used a balanced scoring attack and pressure defense en route to its ninth-straight win at the Save Mart Center.
Freshman guard Jaleesa Ross heated up in the second half and led all scorers with 16 points, going 6-for-11 from the field. Only Ross scored in doubles figures, but Fresno State distributed the ball well, found easily layups inside and converted buckets in transition frequently.
Fresno State opened the game with an 8-0 run and led by as much as 16 in the first half, including a 31-15 advantage at the break.
The Bulldogs increased their lead to 20 at 16:21 mark during the second period. Following two Taja Edwards free throw makes with 12:47 left, 11 Bulldogs had reached the scorebook.
When sophomore guard Brittny Jones converted a layup at the conclusion of the game, all 12 of the Bulldogs had scored and Fresno State ended with its largest lead.
Junior LaToya Brown led the Bulldogs with five assists, while senior Tierre Wilson and freshman Hayley Munro each pulled down eight rebounds. Fresno State had five blocked shots, made 10 steals and out-rebounded Idaho 51-33.
Fresno State held Idaho to 22 percent from the field and only the Vandals' Katie Madison was able to score in double figures. Fresno State, meanwhile, attempted three fewer shots than Idaho and managed 45 percent from the field.
Fresno State now hits the road for three straight games when it heads to Hawai'i, Utah State and New Mexico State.
"Join the State - Fresno State!" - The Fresno State women's basketball team hits the road for three games beginning next week at the University Hawai'i. Catch the game live at 9 p.m. on 790 ESPN Radio, the Deuce.
Adrian Wiggins Quotes
"I was very pleased with our effort tonight team wise. I felt like Idaho got some shots in their offense that they wanted and they just didn't make a lot. I thought our team defense was good though. We rotated really well and had some good pressure on the basketball. I thought they tried really hard. They do a good job defensively of keeping us out of the middle of the floor. As the game went on we got better with that. Our rebounding effort was very good and anytime you have more assists than turnovers you have to be really happy. Overall it was a good game for us."
On why they pressed Idaho
"We wanted to insure some tempo. It wasn't really to get the steal as much as it was to get the flow of the game at a good speed. I thought it made them sub early some and that might have been an advantage to us."
The positives from the win
"The younger players that don't have as much game experience got better. A lot of people can see that Taja Edwards is getting better and better. To get Rachel Majewski some quality time has really helped her. I feel like that will be a big boost for us. It gives them a chance to get better and give them some confidence. I thought Marnique Arnold did a better job today and gained some confidence. That is huge down the road."
