Comeback bid falls short at USF

Sunday, December 17

San Francisco, Calif.

2 p.m. PT

Fresno State

4-6, 0-0

San Francisco

5-5, 0-0

Fresno State

San Francisco

Photo by: Keith Kountz

Comeback bid falls short at USF

12/17/2017 6:42:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Gamez paces team with 12 points.

By: Josh Mitchell / Assistant Director of Communications

SAN FRANCISCO – Despite a furious fourth-quarter comeback, Fresno State was unable to erase a 21-point deficit at San Francisco on Sunday afternoon, falling 70-62 at War Memorial at the Sobrato Center.

The Bulldogs were led early by Aly Gamez (12 points) and Megan Nilsson (8 points), and late by Bree Delaney (11). The freshman from Sydney, Australia fueled Fresno State's 22-4 while knocking down 3-of-6 from beyond the arc.

USF controlled much the game from start through the post as both of its starters inside Michaela Rakova (17 points and 15 rebounds) and Moa Lundqvist (20 points and 9 rebounds) combined for the 37 points and 24 rebounds. The Dons were plus-10 in the paint and plus-five on second chance points.

HOW IT HAPPENED
San Francisco started the game on an 11-3 run with all 11 coming from Lundqvist and Rakova. The Dons pushed their lead to 22-9 before a five-point spurt from the 'Dogs cut into their lead late in the quarter. Shooting 10-of-20 in the period, USF held a 24-14 advantage.

The Dons extended their lead early to 16 early in the second, the largest of the half. USF took a 12-point lead into halftime, holding decisive advantages inside with a 14-4 edge in second chance points and a plus-11 on the glass.

Out of the break, San Francisco quickly built its lead up 19 with a 7-0 run to start, but the 'Dogs picked up the energy midway through the quarter to pull back within 13 after a 6-0 stretch. Despite the ability to pull back, Fresno State finished the quarter missing their last five shots as the Dons shot 56.3 for the quarter. USF finished the third on a 12-4 run to take a 61-40 lead into the final quarter.

After shooting 3-of-14 from 3 during the first 30 minutes of the game, Fresno State began to make its outside shots in the fourth. Delaney opened the quarter with a pair as the Bulldogs' first four made field goals of the fourth were all from outside. Trailing by 16, Gamez sank Fresno State's fourth to start a 13-0 stretch that pull. Delaney and Bree Knishka each dropped in one during the run, and Candice White chipped in four free throws to pull the 'Dogs within three with under two minutes to play, Fresno State was 0-of-3 from the field to close the game.

TEAM NOTES
-Fresno State shot a season-high 27 3-point attempts, connecting on nine, the third-most made this season in a game.
-The Bulldogs had a season-low five turnovers, half of its previous low. The last time the 'Dogs had five turnovers in a game was against Utah State in 2014.

PLAYER NOTES
Aly Gamez – 12 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists
-Team-high 12 points.
-Scored nine of her 12 in the first half.

Bree Delaney – 11 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist
-Scored nine of her points in the fourth quarter on 3-of-6 shooting from 3.
-Knocked down first two 3's of the fourth quarter.

UP NEXT
Fresno State will wrap-up non-conference play on Wednesday at the Save Mart Center versus Weber State (8-2). Tipoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. PT.

"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.bulldogschoarshipfund.com or call 559-278-7160.

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