Bulldogs stifle Wyoming in 58-48 quarterfinal win

Tuesday, March 7

Las Vegas, Nev.

6 p.m. PT

Fresno State

17-14

Wyoming

21-9

Fresno State

#2 Wyoming

Bulldogs stifle Wyoming in 58-48 quarterfinal win

3/7/2017 10:20:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Fresno State will face UNLV in the semifinals on Wednesday night at 9 p.m. PT.

By: Josh Mitchell / Assistant Director of Communications

LAS VEGAS – Behind a tenacious defensive effort, Fresno State advanced to the semifinals of the Mountain West Women's Basketball Championship for the fifth straight year with a 58-48 win over Wyoming on Tuesday night at the Thomas & Mack Center. The Bulldogs were led by the duo of Bego Faz Davalos and Candice White who each poured in 19 points.

Along with the 19 points, Faz Davalos grabbed 13 rebounds for her second double-double of the tournament and 19^th of the season.

Fresno State came out of the gates looking to do what got them into the quarterfinals, working the ball through Faz Davalos. The junior totaled seven up of the team's points in the opening quarter while Candice White got started quicker the previous game, dropping in a pair of 3's as she recorded the Bulldogs other seven in the quarter.

Fresno State's five point-point lead after 10 minutes grew in the second quarter as the 'Dogs defense held Wyoming to 3-of-14 and just six points in the second as they took a 26-15 advantage at the half. It was the Cowgirls' lowest total in a half this season, and the least in a half for a Fresno State opponent on the year.

The Bulldogs continued to build on its momentum coming out of the locker room. After trading a lay-up for a 3 in the opening minute, Fresno State rattled off a 13-2 run that ended late in the quarter with an and-1 after a lay-up by Kristina Cavey that pushed the lead to 21.

Fresno State took a 22-point lead into the fourth quarter, but behind a combination of hot-shooting from Wyoming, missed shots, missed free throws and turnovers, the 'Dogs saw that lead quickly disappear. During the first eight minutes of the final quarter, the Cowgirls went on a 17-3 run which saw a string of three 3's. With their lead dwindled down to eight, White was able to get to the bucket and push the lead back to double digits, but Taylor Rusk came back for Wyoming and knocked down her second three of the quarter.

Tory Jacobs then went 1-of-2 at the line and then Clara Tapia answered with a bucket at the other end as the Cowgirls cut their deficit to six with under a minute to play. While the 'Dogs were 2-of-6 from the foul line in the opening nine minutes of the quarter, and then went 1-2 on their next two occasions just inside the final minute, Emilie Volk had her chance at the line with an eight-point lead and the senior calmly knocked them down to give the team a double-digit lead and put the game out of reach with 34 seconds remaining on the clock.

How It Happened: Fresno State held Wyoming to 9-of-34 (26.5 percent) from the field during the opening 30 minutes of the game, and 2-of-13 (15.4 percent) from 3.

Team Notes:

Fresno State is the first No. 7 seed to knock-off a No. 2 seed in the Mountain West tournament.
Fresno State held Wyoming to 24 points through the first 30 minutes of the game.
The Bulldogs held a 35-19 advantage on the glass. The plus-16 advantage was tied for the best of the season.
The 19 rebounds for Wyoming was the lowest total for a Fresno State opponent this season.
The Bulldogs attempted a season-low five 3-pointers.

Player Notes:
Bego Faz Davalos – 19 points, 13 rebounds

With her first block of the game, broke school record for career blocked shots with her 338^th.
Recorded her 19^th double-double of the season, pulling within one of the Mountain West single-season record.

Candice White – 19 points, 3 steals

Returned to double figures in scoring tonight with her 26^th of the season.
Recorded her seventh game of the season with at least 19 points.
Ninth game with at least three steals.

Next Up: With the win, Fresno State will face No. 3 seed UNLV on Wednesday night. Tipoff is scheduled for 9 p.m. PT and will broadcast live on the Mountain West Network.

"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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