Bulldogs stifle Cowgirls in 60-47 win

Saturday, February 3

Fresno, Calif.

2 p.m. PT

Fresno State

13-10, 8-4MW

Wyoming

14-7, 7-3MW

Wyoming

Fresno State

Photo by: Keith Kountz

Bulldogs stifle Cowgirls in 60-47 win

2/3/2018 6:38:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Fresno State broke a school by only committing three turnovers.

By: Josh Mitchell / Assistant Director of Communications

FRESNO, Calif. – Behind a gutty defensive effort, Fresno State won its fifth game in the last six, knocking off Wyoming 60-47 on Saturday afternoon at the Save Mart Center. The Bulldogs forced 16 turnovers and turned them into a 14 points while committing a program-low three turnovers.

For the second straight game, Candice White led the 'Dogs in scoring with 19 points to go with seven rebounds and four assists. Fresno State also got double-digit scoring efforts from Maddi Utti (15) and Kristina Cavey (12). Liv Roberts was the only Cowgirl to muster double figures, scoring 15 points and grabbing nine rebounds.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Trailing 11-6 midway through the first a 3-pointer from Cavey sparked a 9-0 run as the 'Dogs claimed the lead with 3:06 on the clock. With both teams shooting north of 42 percent, Fresno State took a slim 17-16 lead into the second quarter.

Down two early in the second, Breanne Knishka and Jordanna Porter bookended a 7-0 spurt to reclaim the lead at 25-19 midway through the quarter. The Bulldogs would carry the six-point advantage through the end of the half as they led 30-24 after shooting 40.6 percent from the field and 75 percent from 3 through the opening 20 minutes.

Seven Cowgirl turnovers in the third quarter resulted in six of the Bulldogs 13 points as they kept Wyoming at bay. The 'Dogs extended their lead to nine through 30 minutes after the defense held the Cowgirls to just 3-of-14 shooting in the period.

As Fresno State looked to put the game out of reach early in the fourth quarter, Wyoming had an answer, not allowing the Bulldogs push the score too far into double digits. Fresno State's defensive efforts continued into the fourth as the 'Dogs held the Cowgirls to only two points during the last four-and-a-half minutes as White closed the game with six points down the stretch.

TEAM NOTES
- Fresno State won its eighth conference game, tying its total from the 2016-17 season.
- In each of their conference wins the Bulldogs have held their opponents below 28 percent shooting from 3.
- Fresno State outscored Wyoming 14-0 in points off turnovers, the first time this season the 'Dogs had not allowed any points off turnovers.
- The three turnovers was the fewest in program history, passing the previous best of five which was set on Feb. 22, 2014 versus Utah State.

PLAYER NOTES
Candice White – 19 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists
- Led the Bulldogs in scoring for the 12^th time this season.
- Went 6-of-6 from the foul line, extending current streak to 20.

Maddi Utti – 15 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals
- Third straight game in double figures
- Scored in doubles figures for the 13^th time this season.
- Swiped at least three steals in a game for the fifth time.

QUOTES
Head Coach Jaime White on slowing Wyoming's offense…
"I thought we did a good job with our full-court defense. We didn't get that many steals out of it but we knew we were going to have to press. Coming back, I thought we did a good job with the zone and getting out and finding shooters. For the most part, I thought our game plan was right on and we did a good job with that. We had some nice play time from everybody."

On being successful in the paint…
"I just thought we had to get in there and make them defend. I also thought that we had to make them drive. Both of those things are hard to do, they make you tired. The Save Mart Center is a great atmosphere and such a hard place to play for other teams. We figured that by the end of the game, they would be pretty tired."

On playing in front of a crowd on Girls and Women in Sports Day…
"We talked as a team the other day about how grateful we are of the Red Wave and what great role models we could be to the community. We go out and we do a lot of clinics as well. We are always representing the sport and Fresno State."

On only having one game next week…
"I know San Diego State will be tough and ready for us down there. We are going to prepare and be ready. We are going to take one day off between now and then and hopefully our kids can get healthy and regroup. Right now, we just want to play every day with the way that we are playing. We will get back at it and take one game at a time."

Freshman forward Maddi Utti on being comfortable as a freshman…
"I am much more confident than I was at the beginning, for sure. It has been nice to be able to get used to things."

On playing inside with fellow freshman Genna Ogier…
"I love it. It has definitely progressed over the course of the season. Every time we are out there together, I always find her. She works the hardest."

NEXT UP
After a three-game homestand, Fresno State will return to the road to face San Diego State on Feb. 7 Tipoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. PT and air 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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