Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Louisiana Tech
Bulldogs Pick Up First Win at Louisiana Tech
2/4/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Feb. 4, 2008
RUSTON, LA. - The Fresno State women's basketball team made history on Monday night when they defeated Louisiana Tech 82-63 on Monday at the Thomas Assembly Center in Ruston. The victory was the Bulldogs first victory at Louisiana Tech and it was also the first time the Lady Techsters have been swept by a conference opponent since 1990-91.
"I am very excited for our players," Fresno State coach Adrian Wiggins said. "This is obviously a very storied program. We are the first team in Fresno State history to beat LA Tech here and we are the first team in the WAC conference to beat them four times. They are a good program and they have done a lot of wonderful things."
The win keeps Fresno State atop the WAC standings at 8-1 and 13-9 overall while Louisiana Tech fell to 10-11 and 4-4 conference play.
It was the play of freshmen Jaleesa Ross and Hayley Munro who had career nights as Ross had 21 points on eight of 12 shooting while Munro had 17 points and eight rebounds. Tierre Wilson had 15 points and five assists while Erica Henry had 11 points and seven rebounds.
"I thought we had a good effort sharing the basketball tonight," Wiggins said. "Our freshmen Jaleesa Ross and Hayley Munro really stepped up and hit some big shots. But the reality is we did a good job as a team of getting them the ball in good locations. They just did what they are good at doing and they do it very humbly. It was fun to watch them play tonight."
The Bulldogs shot 50 percent from the field and held Louisiana Tech to 39 percent shooting. Fresno State distributed the ball well as they had 18 assists. The Dogs forced the Lady Techsters into 22 turnovers.
"We did have a lot of help and a lot of ball pressure," Wiggins said. "That really showed up big for us tonight. There are some teams that are not a good match up for us but this is a good match up."
After giving up the opening basket, the Bulldogs took the lead for good and never looked back as they quickly built a 19-6 lead following a Wilson layup with 13:05 to play in the first half. Six minutes later a 3-pointer by Munro put the Bulldogs on top 28-12 and the lead was extended to 18 at 36-18 following a Bailey Amundsen 3-pointer. Fresno State led 50-30 at halftime.
Louisiana Tech got within 14 early in the second half before Fresno State extended its lead to 66-43 after another Amundsen 3-pointer. The Dogs biggest lead was 71-47 with seven minutes left in the game.
"Its huge and it gives us a lot of confidence," Wiggins said. "We are very humbled right now. We have obviously been through some ups and downs as a program but to be right here at this point is very exciting and there is a nice calmness about it."
"Join the State - Fresno State!" - 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.
