Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
17-4, 5-0
Hawai'i
8-12, 3-2
Bulldogs Stifle Hawai'i
1/28/2012 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 28, 2012
FRESNO, Calif. - A crowd of 3,585 at the Save Mart Center chanted defense, defense and the Fresno State women's basketball team delivered one of their best defensive games of the season. The Bulldogs defeated Hawai'i 83-48on Saturday night.
"We played a very confident Hawai'i team tonight," said head coach Adrian Wiggins. "And we handled it well. We were sharing the ball and finding the open shot."
Fresno State (17-4, 5-0 WAC) typically gives possession to opponents in the opening jump ball because Wiggins wants the Bulldogs to play defense first. And that is just what the `Dogs did by opening the game with a steal.
"We came out playing our game from start to finish," said sophomore Taylor Thompson. "We played defense, played fast, got steals and shared the ball. I am very proud of how well we played tonight."
Turnovers continued to spark Fresno State's defense. The Bulldogs forced 30 turnovers that resulted in 36 points for the `Dogs. Fresno State only turned the ball over 14 times. Hawai'i was limited to scoring under 10-points until the 8:07 minute mark in the first half.
Sophomore Ki-Ki Moore tied her career-high 28 points. She has scored 28 points in three different games this season and is averaging 17.2 points per game. Moore also grabbed four rebounds and recorded two assists.
Freshmen Alex Sheedy and Madison Parrish also scored in double figures with 13 and 12 points, respectively. Thompson grabbed a team-high five rebounds.
Moore fueled an opening 22-4 run with 11 points. The guard finished the first half with 23 points, one shy of what the Rainbow Wahine scored. Fresno State led Hawai'i 41-24 at half time.
The second half started with a 10-2 run by the Bulldogs that increased their lead to 51-26 with 17:17 to play. The Rainbow Wahine was held to just 10 in the first 12 minutes points in the second half.
With the win over Hawai'i, the `Dogs remain the only undefeated team in the WAC and are a game ahead of Utah State, who is 4-1. Fresno State has outscored WAC opponents 406-280, which is by an average of 25.2 points per game.
The Bulldogs continue WAC action next and head to New Mexico State on Feb. 2 at 5:30 p.m. PT.
Fresno State celebrated National Girls and Women in Sports Day by honoring former Bulldogs coaches and student-athletes from the 1970's and 1980's.
"We Are Your Team!" The Bulldogs hit the road again to face New Mexico State on Feb. 2 at 5:30 p.m. PT. Listen to all the action LIVE with Guy Haberman on ESPN2 790 AM. For more information on tickets call 278-DOGS.
