Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
San Diego State
Bulldogs Stifle Aztecs on the Road, 56-44
1/3/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
By Josh Mitchell
jomitchell@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com
SAN DIEGO - Fresno State extended its win streak to six as the defense locked down on San Diego State to win 56-44 Saturday afternoon at Viejas Arena at Aztec Bowl. The Bulldogs held the Aztecs to only 27.1 percent shooting from the field.
The Bulldogs shot out of the gates, pushing the pace from the opening tip as junior center Toni Smith tapped it off to junior guard Shauqunna Collins and she ran in for an uncontested layup. Fresno State scored the first six points before SDSU got on the board behind a pair of free throws from Erimma Amarikwa.
The `Dogs continued to run though and freshman center Bego Faz Davalos came up with four blocks as the defense hounded Aztec shooters turning missed shots and turnovers into points. Fresno State pushed its lead to 20-2 just over eight minutes into the game as they held San Diego State without a field go for the opening 11:19.
The Aztecs countered with back-to-back buckets forcing a timeout from the Bulldogs. The quick stoppage paid off as Fresno State hit a 9-0 spurt within a minute and a half that included five points from senior guard Stephanie Rovetti.
Holding a 29-6 lead, the Bulldogs went cold from the field as San Diego State went on an 8-1 run to cut its deficit to 16 while Smith, Faz Davalos and senior forward Alex Sheedy were on the bench with two fouls apiece.
With 2:56, Smith finally ended the five-plus minute drought for the `Dogs from the floor.
The Bulldogs closed the half with a 34-20 lead after holding the Aztecs to 20 percent shooting (6-of-30), while hitting 46.7 percent (14-of-30) themselves. The `Dogs had a well-balanced offense with four players recording six or more points.
Out of the break, Sheedy extended Fresno State's lead back up to 19 with five quick points, including a 3-pointer from the top of the key, only the Bulldogs' second and final triple of the game. From that point on, both teams struggled to get into a rhythm.
Midway through the half, the Aztecs, sparked by four points from Amarikwa went on an 8-2 run to close within 11 at 49-38 with 5:35 remaining, but that was as close as the Bulldogs would allow the home team to get. A pair of free throws from Sheedy, followed by a layup, bumped the lead back up to 15. The senior finished the game with 19 points, scoring 13 in the second half after six in six minutes during the first half.
After another SDSU bucket, senior guard Raven Fox hit a runner in the lane with 1:44 on the clock. Back-to-back jumpers from McKynzie Fort brought the Aztecs' deficit back to 11 at 55-44, but Collins, who had a career-high five steals, came up with consecutive rebounds after missing free throws off the front of the rim to secure the double-digit win on the road.
San Diego State's 27.1 percent shooting from the field was the second-lowest percentage that Fresno State has held a team to this season. The Bulldogs' effort on the defensive end also resulted in 31 defensive rebounds, 13 steals and seven blocks. Sheedy grabbed a team-high seven boards, while Smith had five.
Fresno State will continue its two-game road swing with a trip Wednesday to Utah State. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m., PT.
"Be Bold" - ESPN2 790 AM is the home of the Fresno State women's basketball team.
