Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Nevada
Bulldogs Crowned WAC Champs
3/8/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
March 8, 2008
RENO, NV - The Fresno State women's basketball team can call themselves conference champions for the first time in the program's 43 year history after beating Nevada 82-68 Saturday night at the Lawlor Events Center. And it is only fitting that seniors Tierre Wilson and Erica Henry were the ones that helped guide the Bulldogs to the title.
Henry had a career high 21 points to go along with a game-high 11 rebounds while Wilson had 25 points, six assists and five rebounds.
"They deserve it," Fresno State coach Adrian Wiggins said on his two seniors. "They deserve this moment in the fact that they have been committed and worked really hard. I am just really happy for them. They continue to grow and they continue to become better players. Every time they step on the floor they get smarter and smarter. That has just been a wonderful thing to be their coach."
The win gives Fresno State a 19-10 record and a 14-2 record in the WAC. The Dogs, who tied Boise State for the top spot in the conference, will go into next week's WAC tournament with the No. 1 seed.
"It hasn't really sunk yet," Wiggins said. "I am trying to be real careful. We still have the WAC tournament and you want to perform well there. I am going to try and stay focused but I am very proud of our players."
Hayley Munro had 10 points and eight rebounds while Jaleesa Ross had 10 points and six rebounds.
"Our seniors led by example," Wiggins said. "Every player that was in uniform contributed tonight in a meaningful way."
Fresno State shot 51 percent from the floor and held Nevada to 37 percent shooting. The Dogs also out rebounded Nevada 46-33.
After the first minute of the game the Bulldogs took the lead for good and led by as many as 12 points in the first half at 32-20 with 4:09 to play until the break. The Bulldogs led 39-31 at halftime.
Fresno State led by as many as 16 points at 70-54 with 6:16 left in the game following a LaToya Brown layup.
The Bulldogs will play on Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. against San Jose State or Idaho in the quarterfinal round of the WAC tournament.
"Join the State-Fresno State!" - The Fresno State women's basketball team will head to Las Cruces, New Mexico March 11-15 to compete in the 2008 WAC Basketball tournament.
