Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Cal State Bakersfield
Bulldogs Beat CSUB in Final Nonconference Game
1/2/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 2, 2010
FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State women's basketball team closed out nonconference play with a hard fought 64-54 win over CSU Bakersfield on Saturday evening at the Save Mart Center. The Bulldogs go into WAC play next week with a 9-5 record while CSU Bakersfield dropped to 7-8.
"Bakersfield is a good team," Fresno State coach Adrian Wiggins said. "We knew it would be a tough match up and they run their stuff really well. They have beaten two WAC opponents by 20 points so I knew we would have a challenge on our hands."
Fresno State was led by Jaleesa Ross' 14 points and seven rebounds. She also had four assists and four steals. Joh-Teena Filipe had 10 points eight rebounds and tied her career high with four blocks. Rosie Moult led the Bulldogs in rebounding with a season high 11.
As a team, the Dogs out rebounded the Roadrunners 47-33.
"Rebounding was the key the whole game and it was a part of the second half," Wiggins said. "I thought we had a good effort and a great rebounding effort."
The Bulldogs shot 43 percent from the field for the game while CSUB shot 31 percent and only 28 percent in the second half.
Fresno State trailed the entire first half and by as many 10 points at 16-6 seven minutes into the game. The Dogs got within one point at 20-19 after a Moult 3-pointer with 8:32 to play in the period and trailed 27-25 at halftime.
"I knew they would come ready to play us," Wiggins said. "I thought we settled down after the first portion of the first half and started to play a little better."
CSUB hit a 3-pointer to open the second half and then the Bulldogs went on a 16-3 run to take a 41-33 lead with 15:03 left in the game following a 3-point play by Ali Drennan.
"I just thought we got a little more consistent and took more shots that were makeable," Wiggins said. "We got more shot opportunities. We were a little hesitant on our shots in the first half. In the second half I thought they just kind of let loose a little bit."
Fresno State extended its lead to 46-35 after two free throws by Drennan with 11:07 to play. The biggest lead of the game was 14 at three different times in the final three minutes.
"We Are Your Team" - Fresno State now prepares for the beginning of WAC play when it plays host to Hawai'i on Wednesday, January 6 at 7 p.m. The Dogs then travel to Idaho on Saturday.
