Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
22-8 (12-4WAC)
Hawai'i
8-23(4-12WAC)
Bulldogs Take Down Hawai'i in Opening Round
3/11/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
March 11, 2009
Box Score | Notes Fresno State vs. Hawai'i Photo Gallery
RENO, Nev. - The No. 1 seeded Fresno State women's basketball team opened the 2009 WAC tournament with a 65-50 win over No. 8 Hawai'i on Wednesday afternoon at the Lawlor Events Center. Fresno State is now 22-8 while Hawai'i ended its season 8-23.
Fresno State plays Utah State on Friday at Noon in the first semifinal game. Utah State defeated Idaho 59-58 in overtime in the opening game of the day.
"I felt like Hawaii really played hard and did a good job," Fresno State coach Adrian Wiggins said. "After watching them on film lately I knew they would play hard and that they would be physical. They fought all the way down the end. I give them a lot of credit for that. That can make us better and prepare us for the next game."
The Bulldogs had three players in double figures, led by Bailey Amundsen's 18 points, all coming from beyond the three-point line. Amundsen's six 3's tied a single-game record with six other players for most 3-pointers made in a game.
"Bailey was just open and she can shoot them," Wiggins said. "We didn't shoot it real well tonight. That gives me a lot of confidence going into the next game."
Joh-Teena Filipe had 14 points, 10 rebounds, two blocks and two steals while Jaleesa Ross had 13 points, all coming in the second half, six rebounds and six steals.
The Bulldogs shot 34 percent from the field and held Hawai'i to 27 percent shooting, the second best mark of the season for the Bulldog defense.
Fresno State out rebounded the Rainbow Wahine 43-38 and Hayley Munro tied her career high of 13 rebounds to lead the way.
"If you look at it, it was probably considered an ugly basketball game in a lot of way," Wiggins said. "But statistically at the end of the day we held them to 27 percent shoot, we shot 33 3's and made 11 of them and we out rebounded them by five. A lot of things we have been doing this year, Hawai'i did a good job of making it tough on us."
Hawai'i played Fresno State tough in the opening round game and it wasn't until the final 10 minutes when the Bulldogs pulled away.
Fresno State led 40-39 with 13:29 to play in the game. The Bulldogs then scored the next seven points, five coming from LaShay Fears to lead 47-39 with 11:04 remaining in the game.
Fresno State extended its lead to 61-47 with 4:11 to play after a 3-pointer by Marnique Arnold. The 14-point margin was the biggest lead of the game until Ross hit a jumper with 1:42 left to give the `Dogs the 15-point victory.
"In the second half we did a better job of not fouling them early on," Wiggins said. "They did not get to three free throw line until very late."
"Join the State - Fresno State"- Fans can listen to Friday's semifinal between Fresno State and Utah State on 790 ESPN Radio.
