Fresno State Athletics
Three Bulldogs earn Mountain West postseason honors
3/7/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
By Josh Mitchell
jomitchell@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Fresno State center Bego Faz Davalos was named Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year, the conference office announced Monday morning. The sophomore headlines a group of three Bulldogs that earned MW postseason accolades.
Along with being selected as the conference's Defensive Player of the Year, Faz Davalos was named to both the All-MW Team and All-Defensive Team. Senior forward Toni Smith was named All-MW Honorable Mention and forward Breanne Knishka was selected to the All-Freshmen Team.
Faz Davalos, who currently ranks second in the NCAA in blocked shots per game (4.07) and second in blocks (117), broke the conference overall blocks record which was previously set by New Mexico's Jordan Adams during the 2000-01 season (105). The sophomore also surpassed her Mountain West games-only block record this year as she amassed 77 in the 18-game conference season, a total that was at least 56 more than any other player in the league. Faz Davalos' honor continues a string of defensive dominance in the MW as the Bulldogs have earned three of four Defensive Player of the Year awards since joining the conference.
In MW games, the native of San Luis Potosí, Mexico ranked in the top 20 in scoring (17th, 11.6 ppg), rebounding (third, 8.6 rpg), field goal percentage (first, .544), assists (12th, 2.6 apg), blocks (first, 4.3 bpg), assist/turnover ratio (13th, 1.0), offensive rebounds (ninth, 2.4 rpg) and defensive rebounds (second, 6.1 rpg). Faz Davalos also leads the conference with 12 double-doubles on the year and was twice named MW Player of the Week.
In conference games, Smith led the Bulldogs in scoring at 12.2 points per game and was second on the team in rebounds at 6.9 per game. The senior from Del City, Okla., also was one of the 'Dogs most consistent offensive threats, posting double-digit scoring performances in 15-of-18 conference games. In league play she ranked in the top 15 in scoring (13th, 12.2 ppg), rebounding (fifth, 6.9 rpg), field goal percentage (seventh, .489), blocks (14th, 0.7 bpg), offensive rebounds (sixth, 2.6 rpg) and defensive rebounds (ninth, 4.3 rpg). On Feb. 22, Smith earned her first-career Mountain West Player of the Week honor after averaging 18 points and eight rebounds in games against Wyoming and Utah State.
Knishka started 17-of-18 conference games, ranking second on the team in minutes played at 30.9. The Dryden, Wash., native finished conference play tied for second on the team in 3-pointers made with 17 and was fourth in rebounds at 2.8 per game. Against Air Force on Jan. 23, Knishka posted a season high of 15 points as she went 3-of-6 from beyond the arc. It is the second consecutive year that Fresno State has had a player on the All-Freshman Team after Faz Davalos earned the nod last season.
2015-16 All-Mountain West Honors
All-Mountain West Team
Brooke Pahukoa, Jr., G, Boise State
Shalen Shaw, So., G, Boise State
!^Ellen Nystrom, Jr., G, Colorado State
Jamie Patrick, Sr., G, Colorado State
Keyora Wharry, Sr., G, Colorado State
Bego Faz Davalos, So., C, Fresno State
Cherise Beynon, So., G, New Mexico
Dezz Ramos, Jr., G, San José State
Funda Nakkasoglu, So., G, Utah State
^Marquelle Dent, Sr., G, Wyoming
Honorable Mention
Miquelle Askew, Sr., C, Boise State
Toni Smith, Sr., F/C, Fresno State
Nyasha LeSure, Sr., F, Nevada
Khadijah Shumpert, Sr., F, New Mexico
McKynzie Fort, So., G, San Diego State
Dakota Gonzalez, So., G, UNLV
All-Defensive Team
^Ellen Nystrom, Jr., G, Colorado State
Bego Faz Davalos, So., C, Fresno State
Khadijah Shumpert, Sr., F, New Mexico
McKynzie Fort, So., G, San Diego State
^Marquelle Dent, Sr., G, Wyoming
All-Freshman Team
Marta Hermida, Fr., G, Boise State
Breanne Knishka, Fr., G/F, Fresno State
Riana Everidge, Fr., G, Nevada
Jaisa Nunn, Fr., C, New Mexico
Rachel Brewster, Fr., G, Utah State
Marta Gomez, Fr., F, Wyoming
Player of the Year: Ellen Nystrom, Jr., G, Colorado State
Defensive Player of the Year: Bego Faz Davalos, So., C, Fresno State
Newcomer of the Year: Dezz Ramos, Jr., G, San José State
Freshman of the Year: Marta Hermida, Fr., G, Boise State
Sixth Player of the Year: Riana Byrd, Sr., C, San José State
Coach of the Year: Ryun Williams, Colorado State
^ 2014-15 All-MW/Defensive team selection
! 2013-14 All-MW/Defensive team selection
