Fresno State Athletics
Rise of the Rivalry
3/1/2012 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
March 1, 2012
By Theresa Kurtz
tkurtz@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com
FRESNO, Calif. - If you asked anyone on the Fresno State women's basketball team what game they looked forward to each season, more than likely the answer would be... Louisiana Tech.
"It's probably the game we practice harder for than any others," said former Bulldog Hayley Munro. "We prepared day in and day out for the La Tech game."
The rivalry between the Bulldogs and Lady Techsters was born in 2001 as Louisiana Tech moved to the Western Athletic Conference. The last six meetings have been decided in overtime or by two points.
The Lady Techsters storied program has won three National Championships, 20 Conference Championships and appeared in 13 Final Fours.
"When my class came in, the seniors Tierre Wilson and Erica Henry sat us down and explained how difficult it was to play on the road. And especially how hard it was to play at La tech," said Munro. "The first time I went there I remember looking up in awe at the banners and seeing everything they have accomplished."
The first couple of seasons, the series were dominated by Louisiana Tech, but the `Dogs began making strides to becoming a contender in the WAC in 2003. The Bulldogs played in the WAC Tournament Championship game for the first time that year against Louisiana Tech.
This was also the first time in school history the Fresno State women's basketball played on national television and was on the verge of making the NCAA tournament. La Tech won 89-57 in a blowout, but simply playing the Lady Techsters tough in regular season and at the WAC Tournament proved Fresno State was on the rise.
Adrian Wiggins took over the Bulldog basketball program in 2005 and the `Dogs had their best game against Tech to date. Fresno State led by four at the half and by double-digits for most of second half of the WAC Tournament semifinal game.
Entering this game, La Tech had won all 10 meetings between the two schools and seven of them by at least 20 points. Veronica Mack banked a 3-pointer off the glass with 10 seconds left to force the game into double OT. Ultimately, the Lady Techsters came back to win 92-87 in double overtime.
"I'm so proud to be a part of this program right now," said Wiggins of the 2005 WAC semifinal loss. "I'm proud of our players, our assistant coaches and our fans. We didn't come away with the win, but we played our hearts out."
The rivalry heated up in 2006 as the Bulldogs earned their first ever victory over the Louisiana Tech. Mirenda Swearengin and Tierre Wilson scored 17 points apiece and Fresno State defeated the four-time defending WAC champions, 67-58.
"This was just an incredible win for our team, our fans and this community," said Wiggins. "We have played well against them in our last few games and today we were able to finish the job. I'm extremely proud of this team."
The next season, the `Dogs were swept by the Lady Techsters. During the 2007 season, Tech owned a 12-1 overall series record against the Bulldogs, but that was about to change. The `Dogs would begin its longest winning streak over La Tech and make a move to become a basketball power in the WAC.
Wiggins and his staff lost a ton of talent after the 2007 season. The incoming recruiting class featured five, who would later become dubbed Fresno State's Fab Five and become the most decorated class in Bulldog women's basketball history.
The Fab Five included, Jaleesa Ross, Hayley Munro, Emma Andrews, Marnique Arnold and Taja Edwards. The Lady Techsters met the freshmen class in January of 2008 and it resulted in the most lopsided Bulldog win. The `Dogs defeated La Tech for the third time at the Save Mart Center by a score of 75-52.
"To beat Louisiana Tech is a big accomplishment," said Wiggins.
Fresno State continued its momentum further into the 2008 season and seniors Erica Henry and Tierre Wilson led the Bulldogs to their first-ever win at Louisiana Tech. The `Dogs downed the Lady Techsters 82-63, accomplishing the first season sweep of Tech by the Bulldogs.
"I am very excited for our players," Wiggins said of sweeping Louisiana Tech in 2008. "This is obviously a very storied program. We are the first team in Fresno State history to beat LA Tech at their place and we are the first team in the WAC conference to beat them four times. They are a good program and they have done a lot of wonderful things."
The Bulldogs turned the 2008 season into one of the most memorable years by making history becoming the first team to beat Louisiana Tech three times in a season. The `Dogs defeated Tech in the WAC Tournament, 85-58, earning their first ever trip to the NCAA Tournament. It was also the first conference title for Fresno State women's basketball. Ross, Munro and Andrews combined for 56 of the `Dogs 85 points.
Fresno State won the first meeting in 2009, but the five-game winning streak over the Lady Techsters ended with an 80-62 loss on March 2, 2009 at home.
The 2010 season was another magical ride for the Bulldogs. Ross scored 31 points in the first meeting with Louisiana Tech and the `Dogs won 71-61.
"Everybody did something that was little that was huge for our team," said Ross. "Everybody did something that people didn't recognize, but it was huge for us in getting in the win."
At the time, the Bulldogs had a seven-game winning streak and as the season went on the winning streak grew. The `Dogs won their third-straight WAC title on Feb. 24 with an 81-78 win over none other than Louisiana Tech. The Lady Techsters rebounded by edging Fresno State 68-66 in the tournament finale and ended the Bulldogs 19-game winning streak.
"I am very proud of our program and team," said Wiggins of the `Dogs loss in the 2010 WAC Tournament Championship. "Thankfully this is not the last basketball game we will play. We are looking forward to the next step."
The loss at the WAC Tournament was not the end of the season for the Bulldogs. Fresno State earned its first at-large bid in program history.
In 2011, the `Dogs and Lady Techsters battled to triple overtime before La Tech took a win in the first meeting of the two teams. The second meeting was also decided in overtime and again Tech won.
Fresno State answered during the WAC Tournament and defeated the Lady Techsters with 2.9 seconds to play. Freshman Bree Farley fielded a pass from Rosie Moult and calmly dropped-stepped toward the basket. The layup gave the `Dogs the 2011 conference tournament title and their fourth consecutive NCAA tournament berth.
It wasn't the first time the Bulldogs have relied on a newcomer to help guide Fresno State to a victory over La Tech and it wouldn't be the last.
"It's great to know that we can put faith in our freshmen to come in and make a shot to win the game," said Munro.
In 2012, newcomers Ki-Ki Moore and Madison Parrish met Louisiana Tech for the first time in their careers. The duo combined for 35 points as the `Dogs edged the Lady Techsters 61-59. The win came down to the Bulldogs defense in the final seconds.
"We executed things towards the end of the game better than we have in previous games," said Parrish. "It doesn't matter who we play, we come out playing our games and we did that tonight."
The finale of the WAC's best rivalry is Thursday, March 1 with the Lady Techsters visit the Save Mart Center for the last time as the `Dogs head to the Mountain West Conference next season.
"I think beating them on their home court will only make them more fired up for tomorrow night," said Farley. "It's going to be a good game and we can't wait for it. We are fired up and ready to play."
There is a chance for Fresno State and Louisiana Tech to meet one more time this season at the WAC Tournament in Las Vegas.
"It's grown into a great rivalry with each game coming down to the final seconds," said Farley. "We want to win them all, especially since it may be our last chance. We want to leave with us winning."
