Fresno State wins fifth straight, runs past San Jose State 81-71

Wednesday, February 14

Fresno, Calif.

7 p.m. PT

Fresno State

15-10 (10-4MW)

San Jose State

6-18 (3-10MW)

San Jose State

Fresno State

Photo by: Keith Kountz

Fresno State wins fifth straight, runs past San Jose State 81-71

2/14/2018 10:34:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Maddi Utti tallied her third career double-double (14 points & 11 rebounds) in the win.

By: Josh Mitchell / Assistant Director of Communications

FRESNO, Calif. – After San Jose State's up-tempo style of play gave Fresno State some issues through the first three quarters, the Bulldogs settled down and outscored the Spartans 22-10 in the fourth as they went on to win 81-71 on Wednesday night at the Save Mart Center. The win was Fresno State' fifth straight and seventh in the last eight games and moves the 'Dogs to 15-10 overall and 10-4 in the Mountain West.

Candice White led the Bulldogs in the scoring column with 20 points while Maddi Utti added her third double-double of the season with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Kristina Cavey and Aly Gamez each chipped in 14 points.

The win puts the 'Dogs in a three-way tie for third place, and one game out of first. Fresno State will travel to Fort Collins, Colo., on Saturday to face Colorado State, one of two teams the Bulldogs are currently tied with at 10-4 in Mountain West play.

HOW IT HAPPENED
In the first couple of minutes, it was clear what pace this game would be played at, fast. San Jose State was flying up and down the court, shooting quickly on almost every possession. The Spartans shot 8-of-19 from the floor in the first period and tallied 19 points. The Bulldogs held their own in the opening quarter, putting in 7-of-16 from the field while nailing 4-of-9 from 3-point range as they led 24-19 at the end of one. Candice White came out clicking for the 'Dogs, scoring 10 points on 3-of-5 shooting, 2-of-3 from 3.

SJSU continued to push the pace in the second quarter, but shot the ball at a much higher clip than in the first quarter. The Spartans poured in 12-of-17 from the field to the tune of 28 points, tying for the most points the Bulldogs have allowed in quarter this season. The 'Dogs didn't have a bad offensive period by any means, scoring 22 points on 9-of-19 shooting, but they trailed San Jose State 47-46 at the break.

Both squads struggled on the offensive end in the third quarter. SJSU shot 6-of-16 from the floor, while Fresno State made just 5-of-22, finishing the period 1-of-12 from field as the Spartans closed on a 12-2 run to take a 61-59 heading into the fourth.

The 'Dogs dominated the final quarter. The defense held San Jose State to 10 points on 27.8 percent shooting. It was the fourth time this season that the Spartans have been held to 10 points or less during the fourth quarter. Fresno State's offense logged all 22 points in period, with all 22 coming from its quartet of Cavey, Gamez, Utti and White, en route to an 81-71 victory over the Spartans.

After scoring 10 fastbreak points in the first half, San Jose State was limited to just four points on the break in the second. The Bulldogs' defense held the Spartans to 24 points on 32.4 percent from the field in the second half compared to the 47 points and 55.6 percent shooting in the first half.

TEAM NOTES
- Fresno State outrebounded the Spartans by 10 (50-40), moving 'Dogs to 9-0 this season when outrebounding their opponents.
- The 50 rebounds was a season high for the Bulldogs.
- The 'Dogs led San Jose State 17-8 in second-chance points.
- The Bulldogs' bench outscored SJSU's 23-13.
- Fresno State is 9-2 on the year when having three or more players score in double figures.
- The Bulldogs are 4-10 this season when trailing after three quarters, while two of those wins have come in the last two games.

PLAYER NOTES
Maddi Utti – 14 points, 11 rebounds, 2 steals
- Shot 7-of-15 from the floor.
- Snagged a game-high 11 boards.
- Logged her third career double-double.

Candice White – 20 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals
- Posted her ninth game of 20 or more points this season, her first since Jan. 13.
- Poured in 4-of-8 from 3-point range.
- Swiped a game-high three steals.

Aly Gamez – 14 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks
- Nailed 2-of-4 from behind the arc and 4-of-5 from the charity stripe.
- Led the team in blocks with two.

Kristina Cavey – 14 points, 4 rebounds
- Shot an efficient 6-of-9 from the field.

QUOTES
Head Coach Jaime White on facing San Jose State…
"San Jose State is really good at playing at their tempo and playing their type of game. I thought we started well in the first quarter but didn't do so great in the second and third. Finally, we just said that we had to go back to what we know and what we do well. I thought our team did a good job at that. I also thought that we opened up the second half pretty aggressive and I thought that we came out in the fourth quarter very aggressively. Taylor Turney did a real nice job tonight, she handles the ball well and is very smart. We forced her to bring the ball down and get the ball out of her hands a little bit. I thought they got tired down the stretch. We got some key rebounds and Kristina Cavey came out to play in the fourth quarter as well."

On having a dominant fourth quarter…
"I felt like we were a little tight. We had so many shots but we just weren't finishing. That happens when we have a bye, we just don't feel that energy. We just went back to what we knew and there you have it. We are happy to get this win and now we can go and focus on Colorado State for this weekend."

On being 10-0 at home for the last ten games…
"This group doesn't get real worried. When things get down, they just step up and that has been nice. Obviously our fans have been great. Tonight is a special night because some of the girls are going to cut their hair and donate it to a great cause tonight. We are just proud to play here. We love our fans and they all will say that the Save Mart Center is the best place to play."

NEXT UP
Fresno State will hit the road to take on Colorado State on Saturday, Feb. 17. Tipoff is slated for 1 p.m. PT and will stream live on the Mountain West Network.

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