Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
19-4, 7-0WAC
Louisiana Tech
11-11, 4-3WAC
Bulldogs Beat La Tech in Final Seconds
2/4/2012 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Feb. 4, 2012
RUSTON, La. - Fresno State newcomers Ki-Ki Moore and Madison Parrish met Louisiana Tech for the first time on Saturday night. The duo wasn't phased by the loud crowd of 7,034 and combined for 35 points as the Bulldogs defeated the Lady Techsters 61-59.
"Louisiana Tech had a great environment," said head coach Adrian Wiggins. "We played a good and competitive team tonight. I'm proud of effort and attitude on and off the court."
The `Dogs (19-4, 7-0 WAC) finish the first half of Western Athletic Conference play undefeated and in first place.
It came down to the last final seconds for the Bulldogs. La Tech had the ball with less than 10 seconds left and the `Dogs defense forced a turnover giving Fresno State the win.
"We executed things towards the end of the game better than we have in previous games," said Parrish. "And I think that helped us get the win."
Moore finished the night with 20 points, four rebounds and five steals. Parrish was the only other Bulldogs to score in double figures with 15 points. Junior Rosie Moult led the team with 10 rebounds.
The Bulldogs opened the game with a steal leading to a fast break layup for Moore. The `Dogs recorded 12 steals against the Lady Techsters and are averaging 12.1 steals per game this season, which is among the top 20 in the nation.
"It doesn't matter who we play," said Parrish. "We come out playing our game and tonight we did that and got the win."
Also defensively, the Bulldogs forced 20 turnovers and scored 14 points off La Tech turnovers.
La Tech's Shantale Bramble-Donaldson made a 3-pointer to take an early lead, but was held scoreless for next 4:32 as the Bulldogs went on a 12-0 run to pull ahead 14-3 with 15:02 left on the clock.
The Bulldogs maintained a comfortable lead throughout the first half and headed to halftime with a 31-21 lead over La Tech.
Parrish led all scorers in the first half with 11 points. Moore had three first half steals and the `Dogs recorded a total of seven steals in the first 20 minutes of the game. Moult led the team with five rebounds.
Moore scored a quick eight points to open the second half. The Lady Techsters cut away at the Bulldogs double figure lead and trailed Fresno State by three points with 10:43 left in the game.
A three-pointer from the Lady Techsters brought them within one of the Bulldogs with 8:08 left to play. Another trey from Andrews tied the game at 49-49.
A jumper from senior Veronica Wilson gave the Bulldogs a two-point edge with under six minutes to play. The `Dogs continued to answer with back-to-back layups from Moore as Fresno State's lead grew 59-53 with 3:05 left in the game.
Under Wiggins, the Bulldogs are 10-9 against La Tech and have won two games in a row over the Lady Techsters.
The Lady Techsters held their "Pack the House" night against the Bulldogs and had an announced crowd of 7,034. Fresno State hosts its own "Pack the House" night on March 1 against La Tech. Don't miss the action and help the Bulldogs pack the Save Mart Center.
"We Are Your Team!" The Bulldogs head to Nevada on Saturday, Feb. 11 at 2 p.m. Fresno State returns to the Save Mart Center on Feb. 16 against Idaho. Catch all the action of every home game on ESPN Radio 790 AM with Guy Haberman. For more information on tickets call 278-DOGS.
