Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
1-1
Santa Clara
1-1
`Dogs Duo Fuels Victory
11/13/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 13, 2011
FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State women's basketball team got off to a slow start in its home opener against Santa Clara on Sunday afternoon. The Bulldogs heated up in the second half to pull away with the 83-71 win over the Broncos.
"The challenge we are facing is figuring out who we are and what we are best at," said head coach Adrian Wiggins. "We needed to do better at finishing shots and getting second chances, which we did a good job of in the second half."
The `Dogs (1-1, 0-0 WAC) first victory of the season was sparked by first year starters Blakely Goldberg and Ki-Ki Moore. The duo combined for 50 of Bulldogs 83 points against the Broncos. Goldberg recorded a career-high 22 points and nine rebounds, which was a team-high. The senior recorded four steals in her first start in front of the home crowd.
"Ki-Ki and Blakely played like they practice," said Wiggins. "They practice hard and are very committed basketball players. It is always nice to see it payoff."
Moore hit the court after halftime and scored 27 of 28 points. The sophomore led the team in scoring for the second game in a row and is averaging 21.5 points a game. Moore scored the first nine points of the second half to spark the Bulldogs.
"It was exciting to get back out there after sitting out a year," said Moore. "It was great to have support from my family and team at the game."
Fresno State had three reach double digits in scoring with junior Rosie Moult adding 12 points. The Bulldogs took advantage of the Broncos 27 turnovers by scoring 29 points off turnovers. The `Dogs also recorded a total of 14 steals.
The Bulldogs fell behind to the Broncos early in the first half, but headed to the locker room with a one point lead. Goldberg and Moult combined for 23 of the Bulldogs 36 points in the first half. Goldberg led the team with 12 points in the first 20 minutes.
The `Dogs recorded back-to-back steals that got Fresno State back in the game with 16:07 left in the half. Moult recorded one of the steals and found Goldberg, who drained a 3-pointer to put the `Dogs within one of the Broncos.
"Just playing with this team, I feel more comfortable," said Goldberg. "Last year I was nervous, but now with a year under my belt, I am more confident on the court."
Goldberg hit another 3-pointer from the left corner to give the Dogs their first lead of the game with just over 15 minutes left in the half. Santa Clara took back the lead with eight minutes left. In the first half, there were nine lead changes between the Bulldogs and Broncos.
Back-to-back steals and a turnover held the Broncos to just three points in the final five minutes of the first half. The Bulldogs forced the Broncos to turn the ball over 17 times in the first half and the `Dogs capitalized scoring 12 points off Bronco turnovers.
Moult made a right-handed layup that gave Fresno State a 36-35 lead over Santa Clara heading into the locker room.
Fresno State opened the second half with back-to-back layups from Moore for four quick points. The sophomore then hit a 3-pointer to increase the Bulldogs lead over Santa Clara.
Moore hit seven of nine field goals and two of three 3-pointers in the second half as the Bulldogs pulled ahead. The Broncos attempted to chip away at the `Dogs lead, but there was no slowing down the Bulldogs. Fresno State shot 51.7 percent inside the arc and 37.5 percent from beyond the arc in the second half.
With 10 minutes left in the game, Sophomore Bree Farley sank two free throws to put the Dogs ahead by 10, which was the largest lead of the game. She finished the game perfect from the line (4-for-4) and a total of seven points.
The second half offensive surge led the Bulldogs to the 83-71 victory over Santa Clara. Fresno State heads to Texas for the SMU Tournament on Nov. 25-26.
"We Are Your Team!" - The Bulldogs hit the road again and head to Dallas, Texas Nov. 25-26. The `Dogs face Tennessee State in the first round of the SMU Tournament on Nov. 25. Fresno State returns home for a three-game homestand beginning Dec. 1 against Oregon. For more tickets call 278-DOGS or log on to gobulldogs.com.
