Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
San Jose State
Bulldogs Suffer 56-51 Loss at San Jose State
2/4/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
By Josh Mitchell
jomitchell@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com
SAN JOSE, Calif. - Fresno State was unable to overcome 25 turnovers on the road, falling 56-51 at San Jose State Wednesday night at The Event Center. The loss was the Bulldogs first since Dec. 6, 2014 at George Washington, snapping their 13-game winning streak, and 17-game winning streak in the Mountain West that dated back to Feb. 19, 2014.
The Bulldogs (17-4, 9-1 MW) were led by junior Shauqunna Collins who had 12 points. Senior forward Alex Sheedy recorded her seventh double-double of the season with 10 points and 11 rebounds, while junior center Toni Smith chipped in 10 points and six boards. Rebecca Woodberry led San Jose State (10-11, 4-6 MW) with 19 points, going 5-of-10 from the 3-point line, and Riana Harris posted a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds.
The Bulldogs return home on Feb. 11 for their Pink Out game as they host UNLV. Fans wearing pink will get free admission to the game and breast cancer survivors from the Central Valley will be honored. Over $1,000 in gas gift cards and official Pink Out t-shirts will be given away throughout the game. There will be a student pizza party courtesy of I ❤ Fresno State and a student iPad mini giveaway.
Tipoff against the Lady Rebels is slated for 7 p.m., PT and will stream live on the Mountain West Network with Christian Lukens on the call for ESPN2 790AM.
Senior guard Alex Furr got the scoring going with a 3-pointer against the San Jose State, but Woodberry responded on the ensuing possession with one of her own. Midway through the half, the Bulldogs held a 13-7 lead after an 8-2 spurt, but that would be their largest lead of the game.
Woodberry countered with a 3 as the Spartans began to cut into deficit. With 6:28 left on the clock, Ta'Rea Cunnigan dropped a 3-pointer to give SJSU its first lead of the game at 16-15.
San Jose State's charge continued as they built up a seven-point lead by way of a 12-0 run, holding the Bulldogs scoreless for four minutes. The drought saw Fresno State miss three shots and commit five of its 16 first-half turnovers.
The Bulldogs clawed their way back with a 7-0 run to knot-up the game at 22-22 with 1:18 remaining, but Aniya Baker sank a deep 3 just before heading into the half. The frenetic style throughout the opening 20 minutes of play resulted in 28 turnovers. The Spartans though capitalized on the miscues, holding an 11-2 edge in points off turnovers.
The Spartans hit a bucket to opening the second half before the two teams traded 5-0 spurts as SJSU pushed its lead back up to seven at 34-27 just over six minutes into the half. Collins responded with a 3 from the top of the key to pull the 'Dogs back within four. The triple ignited a 9-2 run by Fresno State to tie the game at 36-36.
Despite another 3-pointer from Woodberry, back-to-back layups from Fresno State gave the team its first lead in more than 20 minutes at 40-39 with under 10 minutes to go.
With the game tied at 42-42 with under seven minutes left, a missed layup by the Bulldogs was quickly turned into a transition 3 from Woodberry to give the Spartans the lead again. SJSU built its advantage up to six with less than four minutes to play.
Collins cut the deficit back to three as she hit a one from outside with 2:50 on the clock. After a steal by Furr led to pair of free throws by senior guard Robin Draper, Fresno State was back down by one. Baker found Byrd in the lane on the next possession to push SJSU's advantage back to three.
With 1:22 remaining, and the shot clock winding down, Furr put up a deep 3 that caught the back of the rim. Woodberry tacked on a layup and Fresno State was unable to connect on its four attempts from outside during the final minute
"Be Bold" - ESPN2 790 AM is the home of the Fresno State women's basketball team.
