Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
25-7
Louisiana Tech
24-7
Dogs Are Going Dancing
3/12/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
March 12, 2011
LAS VEGAS, Nev - Members of the Fresno State women's basketball team were huddled in the back of their charter bus, preparing to leave Ruston, La., after a charged loss to Louisiana Tech last month when coach Adrian Wiggins headed in their direction.
"We will play in the NCAA Tournament," Wiggins told his players on that February night. "I don't know how this is going to happen. I'm just letting you know we're playing in that tournament."
The Bulldogs made good on their coach's guarantee Saturday afternoon, defeating rival Louisiana Tech 78-76 in the WAC Tournament championship game at Orleans Arena and snagging an automatic berth to the Big Dance. Fresno State, which has now advanced to the NCAA Tournament four years in a row, will learn the details of its upcoming journey Monday afternoon when ESPN airs its NCAA Tournament selection show.
"We're overjoyed," said Wiggins, whose team won its third tournament championship title in four seasons. "To see them have this reward and catch that little break at the end, it was fitting."
Here's why.
The Lady Techsters got the better of Fresno State in the regular season but just barely. Louisiana Tech nipped the Bulldogs twice during conference play but it took a total of four overtimes over the two games for that to happen.
For a brief second, it appeared the teams were headed to another extended affair. With Fresno State (25-7) nursing a three-point lead, Lady Techsters guard Whitney Jones retrieved a loose ball and tossed up a prayer that found the bottom of the net to tie the game at 76-76 with 6.4 seconds remaining in regulation.
Wiggins' reaction said it all.
"Seriously?"
Still, there was more than enough time remaining for an unlikely candidate to take center stage.
Following a timeout that put Fresno State at midcourt with 2.9 seconds to play, freshman guard Bree Farley fielded a pass from sophomore Rosie Moult. Farley, who entered the game averaging 17.5 minutes, calmly drop-stepped toward the basket and scored on what was later deemed a routine play.
In that moment, redemption was secured.
"I just can't believe it worked out," Farley said with a smile. "Sometimes in training, I miss. I'm just so glad it worked out."
Senior guard Jaleesa Ross earned MVP honors following a 23-point effort, which included a 5-for-9 performance from 3-point range. In doing so, she became the first player to receive such honors three times (Ross was also named the tournament MVP in 2007-08 and 2008-09). Moult (10 points, three rebounds) also landed on the all-tournament team.
"I had a lot more space (in the second half)," Ross said. "I didn't stay hidden in those corners as much as I did in the first half. They were all over Hayley (Munro), trying to stop her from scoring, and they wouldn't let Rosie catch fire. When all three of us are out there, it's hard to guard all three."
Senior forward Taja Edwards also came up big for Fresno State, finishing with 15 points and 10 rebounds. The 5-foot-11 forward controlled the offensive glass, repeatedly giving her team another chance. Edwards scored on a put-back to put the Bulldogs up 64-60 with 6:14 to go. She then grabbed another offensive rebound, which led to two more Fresno State points.
"She's an undersized post player," said Wiggins, who likened Edwards to former NBA star Charles Barkley. "She took on that role this year and has done a great job. That 15 and 10 was earned. She earned that."
Fresno State seemed to be on cruise control late in the first half. Munro capped a decisive 12-0 run with a score over WAC Player of the Year Adrienne Johnson to give the Bulldogs a 37-26 halftime lead at the half.
The Lady Techsters (24-7) weren't done. They opened the second half on a tear, hitting their first four shots and eventually outscoring Fresno State 21-4 in a six-minute span. Louisiana Tech led by as many as six points before the Bulldogs issued their rebuttal.
"They're tough," Wiggins said. "They play tough, and they make big shots. ... It's just heart. They have a lot of heart, but so do we. Have you worked hard enough to earn it? Do you really care?"
As each Fresno State player made her way up the ladder to cut down the championship net, it was apparent that answer was a resounding yes.
"This is a dream come true," Ross said. "It's what we came here for. ... It's just amazing. I just can't wait to get there."
"We are Your Team!" The Bulldogs claimed their third WAC tournament title in the last four years with Saturday's 78-76 victory over Louisiana Tech. Fresno State will now earn a bid to the 2011 NCAA Championships. The NCAA selection show is Monday, March 16, at 4 p.m. PT on ESPN.
