Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
17-6, 8-2WAC
San Jose State
2-21, 1-9WAC
Bulldogs Move Into First Place in WAC
2/8/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Feb. 8, 2009
SAN JOSE, Calif. - The Fresno State women's basketball team took over first place in the Western Athletic Conference on Sunday after beating San Jose State, 76-47 on Sunday evening at the Events Center.
The Bulldogs are now 8-2 in WAC and hold a half-game lead over Nevada who is 7-2. Fresno State's overall record is 17-6 while San Jose State dropped to 2-21 and 1-9 in conference.
"We took a step and that is what it is all about right now," Fresno State coach Adrian Wiggins said. "We have had big goals all year and to be here right now and have a chance is awesome. It is February. The team is playing hard and we are very excited about where we are at."
Fresno State shot 54 percent from the field while the Spartans were held to 37 percent shooting. Jaleesa Ross led the Bulldogs with 17 points on six of seven shooting. Marnique Arnold had 11 points while Ashley Walker had 10 points.
Joh-Teena Filipe and Hayley Munro each had five rebounds. The Bulldogs forced San Jose State into 20 turnovers.
"We knew it would be a tough time tough time to recuperate after Friday but the players focused on the stats of San Jose State and really applied it well today," Wiggins said. "We had a great defensive effort and we did not allow them any easy shots offensively."
Other than opening basket by the Spartans, the Bulldogs led the entire game. Eight minutes into the game the `Dogs led 22-5 after a 3-pointer by Walker. Munro gave Fresno State a 30-11 lead with 6:44 left until halftime on a layup. The Bulldogs biggest lead of the first half was 21 at 36-15. Fresno State led 36-19 at halftime.
It didn't take long for the `Dogs to extend their lead to 28 at 50-22 six minutes into the second half after a Filipe layup. Fresno State's biggest lead of the game was 34 at 72-38, 74-30 and 76-42.
"Join the State - Fresno State!" - The `Dogs travel to Idaho to battle the Vandals on Friday, February 13 at 7:00 pm. The `Dogs return to the Save Mart Center on Friday, February 27 as they host Nevada in the Save Mart Center at 7:00 pm. It's Pink Zone Night and $1 from every ticket sold will be donated to the Central Valley Affiliate for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Tickets are on sale now through the Save Mart Center box office, by calling (559) 485-TIXS or online at ticketmaster.com.
