Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Hawai'I
Dogs Cruise Past Hawai'i in Tourney Opener
3/10/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
March 10, 2010
RENO, Nev. - In last year's run to the WAC Tournament championship the Fresno State defense held opponents to 51 points a game and allowed teams to shoot only 34 percent from the field. The Bulldogs have picked up right where they left off in 2010 as they held Hawai'i to 55 points and forced 24 turnovers in an 83-55 opening round victory on Wednesday at the Lawlor Events Center.
"It is a huge part of who we have to be," Fresno State coach Adrian Wiggins said on his team's defense. "I don't think you can give up a lot of points and expect to have success. We have to be on our game defensively. Today was good but we have to get better for the next game."
Fresno State is now 26-5 and it has won 22 straight games against WAC teams dating back to last year's WAC Tournament. Fresno State is also 5-1 in opening round WAC Tournament games under Wiggins.
Jaleesa Ross led four Bulldogs in double figures with 15 points on six of eight shooting from the field. She was three for five from the 3-point line and she had five rebounds. Ross' three 3-pointers broke her own single season record for 3-pointers made in a season that she set last year when she made 95. Ross has now hit 97 3-pointers.
Hayley Munro scored 11 points and Rosie Moult and Joh-Teena Filipe each had 10 points. Taja Edwards had eight points, five rebounds and five assists off the bench.
"We had a great team effort," Wiggins said. "We had great energy on defense and we shared the ball well on offense along with good enthusiasm to start the game."
Fresno State shot 53 percent from the floor and out rebounded the Rainbow Wahine 35-30. The Bulldogs hit 11 of 23 3-pointers and had 18 assists.
The Bulldogs trailed early in the game 12-4, four minutes in. Fresno State then came back to tie the contest at 16 on a basket by Edwards with 12:31 remaining until halftime. Fresno State trailed 18-16 with 11:59 left when it went on a 33-10 run to lead 49-28 at halftime.
The Bulldogs shot 62 percent from the field in the first half and hit eight of 13 3-point attempts. The Bulldogs biggest lead of the game was 36 points at three different times in the second half.
"We Are Your Team"- Fresno State plays at Noon on Friday against Idaho. The game can be heard live on 790 ESPN Radio.
