Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
New Mexico State
Seniors Lead Bulldogs on Senior Night
3/6/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
March 6, 2008
FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State women's basketball team sent its two seniors, Erica Henry and Tierre Wilson out in style as the Bulldogs defeated New Mexico State 68-52 Thursday evening at the Save Mart Center in front of a crowd of 3,147 fans.
The wins ups the Fresno State record to 18-10 and 13-2 in WAC and they have a chance to clinch a share of the programs first ever WAC title with a win Saturday night at Nevada. New Mexico State dropped to 20-8 and 10-5 in conference play.
"New Mexico State is a very sound basketball team and well coached," Fresno State coach Adrian Wiggins said. "We just knew we had to play good basketball for a long period of time. The good thing was that we got better as the game went on. The last time we played them I felt like we relaxed in some areas like blocking out. Tonight we out rebounded them by a bunch. That is a positive thing."
The Bulldogs finished their home season 10-3 and a perfect 8-0 in WAC play. The average home win for the Bulldogs was 74-60 in the 13 games and the scoring margin improved to 73-52 in WAC home games.
It was the play of Wilson and Henry that led the Bulldogs to the victory. Wilson finished her final game in the Save Mart Center with 15 points, eight rebounds, five assists and three steals in 32 minutes of play while Henry had 11 points, 11 rebounds, two blocks and one steal.
"You really learn to appreciate the time you have with them," Wiggins said. "It is very special and such a neat time. I get to see a lot of change. I am going to miss them. They have been really good followers and have become absolutely great leaders."
Fresno State finished with four players in double figures. Hayley Munro had 14 points and Jaleesa Ross had 12 points and nine rebounds.
The Bulldogs shot 42 percent from the field while the Aggies shot 38 percent and were forced into 19 turnovers. The Bulldogs tied a season high of 15 steals.
The Dogs never trailed in the game but the Aggies kept the game close until late in the second half. Fresno State led 28-24 at halftime and then opened the second half by jumping out to an 43-32 lead with 15:24 left in the game following a steal and a layup by Wilson.
The lead was extended to as many as 16 points at 50-34 three minutes later after two free throws by Marnique Arnold.
"We had some energy," Wiggins said on his teams play in the second half. "I thought our ball pressure really picked up. Our guards were really getting after the basketball and pressuring the wings which created some turnovers and lay up opportunities. If you have watched us long enough, if we start getting lay up opportunities in the fast break we get excited and it affects our whole offense."
Tip off for Saturday's game at Nevada is at 6 p.m. and the game can be heard live on 1430 ESPN Radio.
"Join the State- Fresno State!" - The Fresno State women's basketball team will be in Reno, Nevada to play in their last regular season game against Nevada at 6 p.m. Listen to the game live on 790AM ESPN Radio.
