Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
San Jose State
Bulldogs fall to San Jose State 66-64
2/3/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
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By: Travis Blanshan
tblanshan@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com
FRESNO, Calif. - Despite an 11-point lead heading into the final quarter and three Bulldogs in double figures, Fresno State fell from the unbeaten ranks in Mountain West play losing 66-64 to San Jose State at the Save Mart Center on Wednesday.
Fresno State (12-8, 8-1 MW) was led in scoring by senior guard Alex Furr as the Texas native hit four 3-pointers to account for all her points on the evening. Shauquanna Collins added 11 points off the bench for her 12th double-figure scoring effort of the season and added three rebounds and three assists. Toni Smith chipped in 10 points for her eighth consecutive double-figure scoring game and added a team-high seven rebounds.
San Jose State (8-14, 6-5 MW) was led in scoring by Riana Byrd as the junior center scored 17 points and grabbed eight rebounds off the bench. Two other Spartans finished in double figures as Dezz Ramos finished with 11 points and Nyre Harris chipped in 10 points and six rebounds.
"We are obviously disappointed with the outcome of the game tonight," head coach Jaime White said postgame. "We had a good first quarter, I think we got a little ahead of ourselves. We gave up 16 offensive rebounds and I think that was big. I though defensively we weren't as tough as we have been. We let them get drives into the lane. They did a good job of transitioning in the 4th quarter. We flipped quarters. We did well in the first and they did a good job in the fourth."
After a fairly-even first five minutes of play saw the 'Dogs hold a narrow 9-8, the home team closed out the quarter on a 16-3 run that was ignited by back-to-back triples from Furr.
With the Bulldogs holding a 25-11 lead after the first ten minutes, they extended it their largest of the game at 15 (34-19) with 5:32 to play in the first half after Brittany Aikens knocked down a pair throws. The Spartans refused to go away quietly answering with an 11-0 run as they kept the 'Dogs off the scoreboard for over five minutes before Furr ended the drought with her third triple of the game to give Fresno State a 37-30 halftime lead.
After San Jose State closed the 'Dogs lead to four over the first five minutes of the second half, Fresno State ended the quarter on an 10-3 run capped by the final 3-pointer of the evening from Furr to take a commanding 53-42 lead into the final frame.
A 1 7-6 run by the visitors tied the game at 59 apiece with 3:40 to play. After a pair of missed field goals from Bego Faz Davalos, the Spartans answered with a 3-pointer from Emily Vann to take their first lead of the game at 62-59.
After a free throw from the Spartans' Ramos put San Jose State up 65-61 with 1:22 remaining, a 3-pointer from the left corner by Aikens, her lone of the game, brought the 'Dogs back within one as the clock wound down under a minute to play.
After the 'Dogs forced a pair of missed field goals, Collins had a golden opportunity for the game-winning layup with a drive to the bucket, but was denied by Byrd as the Spartans corralled the rebound.
The Spartans added a free throw with five seconds remaining to take a two-point lead and after committing three fouls in the ensuing 4.2 seconds, the 'Dogs had one final opportunity to clinch the win with 0.8 seconds left.
With Breanne Knishka finding Faz Davalos at the top of the key, the sophomore center's field goal attempt fell short as the Bulldogs suffered their first Mountain West loss of the season.
Fresno State returns to action on Saturday when they travel to UNLV (13-8, 6-4 MW) to play the Lady Rebels at 3 p.m. PT at Cox Pavilion.
