White pours in 25 as ‘Dogs surge back to win 71-70 at Nevada

Saturday, December 31

Reno, Nev.

2 p.m. PT

Fresno State

8-5, 1-1MW

Nevada

6-7, 0-2MW

Fresno State

Nevada

White pours in 25 as ‘Dogs surge back to win 71-70 at Nevada

12/31/2016 7:50:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Freshman Katelin Noyer, Saraya Smith and Kristina Cavey account for 22 points off the bench.

By: Josh Mitchell / Assistant Director of Communications

RENO, Nev. – With 10 seconds remaining, Fresno State held tough and stopped Nevada on three attempts for a game-winner as the Bulldogs left Lawlor Events Center with a 71-70 victory over the Wolf Pack. Trailing by 10 at the half, the 'Dogs were forced to come-from-behind for the second time in their last three games.

Candice White led all scorers as she posted a career-high 25 points, the most by Bulldog since Alex Sheedy had 25 against Wyoming on Feb 25, 2015. With foul trouble prevalent throughout Fresno State's rotation, the team received a much-needed 22 combined points from its freshmen as Katelin Noyer dropped in a career-high 12 points, and Kristina Cavey and Saraya Smith had five apiece.

Fresno State jumped out to a 10-4 lead in the early going as White came out shooting, knocking down three straight shots after attempting only three shots two days earlier. The 'Dogs, though, went scoreless for the next four-plus minutes as the Wolf Pack went on a 12-0 run. Nevada pushed its lead to eight midway through the second quarter before Breanne Knishka brought the deficit to five with a 3-pointer. The Wolf Pack finished the half outscoring the Bulldogs 16-11 over the final five minutes of the half as the home team knocked down its final six shots of the period.

Fresno State pulled to within four less than four minutes into the second half with a 7-1 run. Later in quarter, a jumper from White and a shifty and-one from Tory Jacobs brought the 'Dogs within two. Seven straight points for Nevada during the next three-and-half minutes pushed the Wolf Pack's lead back up to nine with 6:48 remaining in the game.

After a layup from Bego Faz Davalos was answered by Nevada, the Bulldogs' defense clamped down during the final six minutes. After allowing a shot attempt with 5:20 on the clock, Fresno State did not allow an attempt until the final 10 seconds as the team forced six turnovers.

With Nevada senior T Moe driving to her right on the team's final possession, Faz Davalos slid over and denied the guard's shot attempt with her only block of the day. The Wolf Pack had two more looks in the final seconds, but the Bulldogs gave neither Stephanie Schmid nor Tarae Briggs a good look from just outside the paint.

How It Happened: Trailing by nine with five minutes remaining, the Bulldogs forced five straight Nevada turnovers as they grabbed their first lead since midway through the opening quarter.

Team Notes:

Fresno State's 53.8 percent shooting from the 3-point range (7-of-13) was its highest mark since shooting 58.3 percent (7-of-12) against CSU Bakersfield on Jan. 3, 2013.
The Bulldogs allowed 70 points in a win for the first time since a 79-73 victory over San Francisco on March 19, 2015.
The 'Dogs recorded its second come-from-behind win of the season when trailing at the half, and largest of the season (previous was six).
Nevada held a 15-point edge from the free throw line (21-6).

Player Notes:

Candice White posted the third 20-point game of her career, scoring 25 points, the most by a Bulldog since Alex Sheedy scored 25 against Wyoming on Feb. 25, 2015
White played every minute, the first for a Bulldog since Alex Furr played all 40 minutes against UC Riverside on Nov. 13, 2015.
Katelin Noyer recorded the first double-digit scoring performance of her career with 12 points.
Bego Faz Davalos tied a career-high in steals with five.
Saraya Smith scored the first points of her career, finishing with five.

Up Next: Fresno State remains on the road, traveling to Wyoming on Jan. 4. Tipoff between the Bulldogs and Cowgirls is slated for 5:30 p.m. PT and will air live on the Mountain West Network.

"Just the Ticket to Build Our Community" – The Bulldog Scholarship Fund gives Bulldog alumni, fans and friends the opportunity to support Fresno State Athletics and the student-athletes who inspire them. For information about how you can support the Bulldog Scholarship Fund, please visit www.bulldogscholarshipfund.com or call 559-278-7160.

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