Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
18-9 (14-2MW)
New Mexico
14-13 (7-9MW)
Bulldog defense stifles New Mexico in 51-43 win
2/27/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Box Score | Quotes | Photo Gallery 
By Josh Mitchell
jomitchell@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com
FRESNO, Calif. - Holding New Mexico to 19 points over the first three quarters, Fresno State cruised past the Lobos with a 51-43 victory on Saturday afternoon during Valley Pride Day at the Save Mart Center.
"It was fun to represent the Valley at tonight's game," Fresno State head coach Jaime White said. "We try to represent the Valley well in every game. We are really grateful for our fans, what they do for a living, and how they come out to support us every night. It was nice to give back to them today."
Bego Faz Davalos lead the Bulldogs with 17 points, eight rebounds, six blocks, and one steal. It was Faz Davalos' team-leading 20th game scoring in double figures this season. With her final block of the game, she tied her Mountain West record for blocks in a single season in conference games after posting 70 a season ago.
Shauqunna Collins (14 points) and Toni Smith (12 points) added 26 points for the Bulldogs. Smith also recorded eight rebounds and set a career high in steals with four. It was her 13th double-figure scoring game in the past 14 games. For Collins, was her second consecutive game in double figures.
The Lobos were lead by forward Khadijah Shumpert, who led all scorers with 22 points to go along with nine rebounds.
Holding a slim 8-6 with under two minutes to play in the opening quarter, Collins scored with a minute remaining to send the Bulldogs on a 14-6 run that carried through the second period as they took a 22-12 lead into halftime. The 12 points in a first half was the lowest point total for a Fresno State opponent this season.
With two layups from Smith in the opening of the second half, the Lobos quickly called a timeout. New Mexico's Cherise Beynon tried to keep the Lobos in the game, six points in the third quarter, but Faz Davalos went 6-of-6 from the free throw line to answer the Lobo guard. Following the Bulldog center's final free throw of the period Alex Furr knocked down her lone 3-pointer of the game to 37-18. A free throw by Collins with 38 seconds remaining in the third quarter gave the 'Dogs their largest lead of the game at 20.
New Mexico out-scored the Fresno State 24-13 in the fourth quarter, but the lead was insurmountable for the opposition. A three-point play by Faz Davalos and 3-pointer from Breanne Knishka during the Lobos' run help keep New Mexico at by.
"I thought today's game was a good challenge for us, White said. "It had a Mountain West tournament feeling to it. This was a big game for us going into the tournament. I felt like our kids really responded to their late scoring run. We kept pushing through the first. The second quarter we really got going. We had a good plan coming out of halftime, and the way we started the second half was huge."
The Bulldogs shot 32.7 percent (16-of-49) from the field and knocked down 16-of-21 (.762) from the free throw line. The 'Dogs held New Mexico to 31.6 percent (18-of-57) from the field and had a 15-9 advantage in bench scoring.
Fresno State returns to the Save Mart Center on Friday March 4 at 7 p.m. PT for Senior Night. Ceremonies will be held prior to tip-off.
Fresno State student assistant Taylor Martinez contributed to this report.
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