Faz Davalos' career night propels Bulldogs to first round win over Nevada

Monday, March 6

Las Vegas, Nev.

4:30 p.m. PT

Fresno State

17-13

Nevada

11-19

#10 Nevada

Fresno State

Faz Davalos' career night propels Bulldogs to first round win over Nevada

3/6/2017 9:05:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score MW First Round vs. Nevada - Highlights

Fresno State will face second-seeded Wyoming in the quarterfinals on Tuesday at 6 p.m. PT.

By: Josh Mitchell / Assistant Director of Communications

LAS VEGAS – In arguably the best performance of her career, junior Bego Faz Davalos willed Fresno State to a 62-57 first round win at the 2017 Mountain West Women's Basketball Championship on Monday night at the Thomas & Mack Center. Hours after being named Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season, the 6-foot-3 center posted 25 points, 16 rebounds, seven blocks and four steals in the Bulldogs' third win over Nevada this season.

Through a nip-and-tuck opening quarter, it was obvious what the game plan was for Fresno State as Faz Davalos scored nine of the team's 16 points as the Bulldogs led by three through the opening 10 minutes. It was more of the same in the second as the junior tacked on another six points to her total. Holding a four-point lead with under a minute remaining, the production from the post continued as freshman Katelin Noyer came off the bench to score a pair of baskets and give the Bulldogs a 28-20 lead.

Unlike the most recent matchup in Fresno, Calif., Nevada got the upper-hand on the Bulldogs in the third quarter as the Wolf Pack got into the bonus early and knocked down 7-of-9 from the free-throw line. Along with eight Bulldog turnovers, Nevada used the advantage at the line to cut the Bulldogs' lead down to two heading into the final 10 minutes.

With the lead hanging the in balance, Faz Davalos scored four straight points to open fourth, and six overall during an 11-2 run for the Bulldogs. Nevada though would not go quietly as the Stephanie Schmid and Halie Bergman knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers to pull within five, a layup from Faz Davalos with 3:25 on the clock gave the 'Dogs a 7-point lead.

Unable to pull away from the Wolf Pack due to seven fourth-quarter turnovers, the Bulldogs allowed the Nevada to get as close as 3, but four free throws from Candice White in the final minute sealed the game.

How It Happened: Leading by only two points heading into the fourth quarter, and Faz Davalos only recording two points and two rebounds in the third, the junior took over in the fourth. Faz Davalos posted eight points, grabbed four rebounds and blocked three shots during the final 10 minutes to help Fresno State overcome 15 second-half turnovers.

Team Notes:

Won the rebounding battle against Nevada for the first time this season, 46-38.
Outscored Nevada 42-20 in the paint.
Held the Wolf Pack to 28.8 percent shooting from the field.
Fresno State was 0-of-7 from 3. It was the first time since Feb. 4, 2012 at Louisiana Tech that the Bulldogs have not made a 3-pointer in a game.
Fresno State has given away 20 or more turnovers in back-to-back games for the first time this season.

Player Notes:
Bego Faz Davalos – 25 points, 16 rebounds, 7 blocks, 4 steals

Career-high 25 points surpassed the 24 which she had versus Belmont on Nov. 25.
Her seven blocks tied a Mountain West First Round record.
It was the fifth time this season that she has blocked at least seven shots in a game, and first since Dec. 7.
It was the fifth time this year that she has grabbed at least 16 rebounds in a game.
Broke the Mountain West single-season rebounding record which now stands at 333.

Candice White – 9 points, 5 rebounds

Scored eight points in the fourth quarter.

Next Up: With the win, Fresno State advances to the quarterfinals of the MW Women's Basketball Championship and will face the No. 2 seed Wyoming. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. PT and will broadcast live on the Mountain West Network. Fans can also listen to the radio call on 790 AM ESPN2.

"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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