Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
13-6, 4-2WAC
Hawai'i
3-15, 0-5WAC
Bulldogs Cruise Past Hawai'i on Island
1/23/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 23, 2009
HONOLULU - The Fresno State women's basketball team improved to 13-6 and 4-2 in WAC after beating Hawai'i at the Stan Sheriff Center, 71-45 on Friday night. Hawai'i dropped to 3-15 and 0-5 in conference.
"We played with great energy and focus on the road," Fresno State coach Adrian Wiggins said. "We really shared the ball well offensively and we had great pressure defensively."
Ashley Walker came off the bench to score a career high 17 points and grab five rebounds.
"She took great shots and knocked them down," Wiggins said. "I thought she rebounded and defended well. She had a great night tonight, especially for this being her first time playing in Hawai'i."
Jaleesa Ross had 15 points but it was the play of Hayley Munro that stood out on Friday night as she had 14 points, eight rebounds and a career-high nine assists. As a team, the Bulldogs had 20 assists.
"Hayley and LaShay did a good job passing tonight and running our offense," Wiggins said. "We had a lot of players take good shots they can make."
Fresno State shot 40 percent from the field while the Rainbow Wahine shot 38 percent. The Bulldogs out rebounded Hawai'i 36-33, with Munro grabbing a team-best eight. Marnique Arnold and Taja Edwards each had seven.
The Bulldog defense also forced 27 Rainbow Wahine turnovers.
The Bulldogs got off to a hot start in the first half behind the shooting of Ross and Arnold. Ross scored 12 of her points in the first half while Arnold had eight points and six rebounds. With 11 minutes left in the half, Hawai'i held a 14-13 lead. The Bulldogs then closed out the final 11 minutes on a 27-6 run to lead 40-20 at the break.
Leading, 25-18 with 5:46 left, the Bulldogs held the Rainbow Wahine scoreless for five minutes as the Bulldogs went on a 15-0 run to lead 40-18 after a Brittny Jones layup.
Hawai'i got no closer than 16 points in the second half and the final score was the biggest lead of the game.
"Join the State - Fresno State!" - The `Dogs return home to the Save Mart Center on Friday, January 30 as they host San Jose State at 7:00 pm. It's American Heart Association Go Red for Women Weekend as Fresno State Athletics raises awareness of heart disease in women. Tickets are on sale now through the Save Mart Center box office, by calling (559) 485-TIXS or online at ticketmaster.com.
