Bulldogs edge out Rams 57-54

Saturday, January 26

Fresno, Calif.

2 p.m. PT

Fresno State

13-5 (6-1MW)

Colorado State

7-11 (1-6MW)

Colorado State

Fresno State

Photo by: Keith Kountz

Bulldogs edge out Rams 57-54

1/26/2019 5:27:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Photo Gallery (Keith Kountz)

By: Fresno State Athletic Communications

FRESNO, Calif. – In a tight, low-scoring affair, the Fresno State women's basketball team grinded out a 57-54 win over Colorado State on Saturday in the Save Mart Center. The 'Dogs used a balanced attack offensively to come out on top as Candice White, Bree Delaney and Aly Gamez all reached double figures in points. Fresno State did a good portion of its damage beyond the arc, knocking down 12 3's on the day at a clip of 41 percent. The 'Dogs also had a big advantage off the pine, outscoring Colorado State in bench points, 18-2. Gamez powered the offense throughout the game, dropping 13 points while going 5-of-9 from the field and adding three rebounds, three assists and three steals.

How It Happened

Both teams struggled offensively out of the gate, but Gamez got the 'Dogs on the board with a 3-pointer to break the stalemate. Colorado State then responded with a pair of 3's of their own and added another layup to jump out to an 8-3 lead. At this point, both teams began to get in sync offensively as Colorado State added a pair of layups, but Fresno State answered each one with a flurry of 3's from Delaney and Gamez along with a Maddi Utti layup to take a one-point lead, 14-13. The Rams climbed back on top to finish the quarter up 17-14 after adding another layup and a mid-range jumper.

Colorado State punched in another layup to start the quarter, but Fresno State jumped out in front after knocking down three straight 3's from Jordanna Porter and Gamez. With the 'Dogs leading 23-19, the two squads went back and forth. In the next four minutes, Colorado State knocked down a 3-pointer to go with a layup and a jumper, while White knocked down a couple of 3's to keep the 'Dogs up by three. Fresno State shut down CSU for the final two minutes and added a couple of mid-range jumpers during that span, giving the Bulldogs a 33-26 lead going into the half.

The Bulldogs and Rams continued to battle back and forth in the third. White opened the quarter by adding a couple of free throws for Fresno State, but Colorado State quickly answered with a layup.

Kristina Cavey soon responded with a quick jumper, but Colorado State took over for the next three minutes, going on a 10-point run behind an array of layups to go with a 3-pointer and a free throw.

Delaney broke the spell for the 'Dogs with a 3-pointer of her own, putting the 'Dogs back on top with 3:30 left in the quarter, 40-38. Neither side was able to drop one in the bucket for the remainder of the quarter until the Rams evened things up with a layup that left just two seconds on the clock.

Fresno State grabbed the lead again at the start of the quarter behind a 3-pointer from White, but the Rams jumped ahead soon after by knocking down a 3-pointer of their own to go with a layup and a free throw. The 'Dogs took the lead once again after a 3-pointer from White and a jumper from Gamez. Both sides followed that by trading a couple of baskets before Fresno State extended its lead to six after a pair of layups from Genna Ogier and Gamez. As the game reached the closing minute, Colorado State knocked down a jumper to shrink Fresno State's lead to 56-52. After draining the clock down to 35 seconds, the Bulldogs were off the mark on a 3-pointer. The Rams took advantage by driving home a layup and cutting the Fresno State lead to just two. As the Rams were forced to intentionally foul, Utti added one free throw to put the 'Dogs up, 57-54. After missing the second free throw, Colorado State had a chance to even things up with 15 seconds remaining. After inbounding the ball, the Rams struggled to find an open shot, forcing them to call their last timeout with five seconds on the clock. On the following inbound, Colorado State drew a foul inside the arc. After missing the first, the second free throw was nullified by a lane violation. The 'Dogs were then able to inbound the ball and run out the remaining two seconds to come out with the win.

Team Notes

The Bulldogs have won four of the last five matchups with the Rams.
Fresno State is now 12-1 when leading at the half this season.
Improved to 7-1 when the Fresno State bench outscores the opponent bench.
Attempted 29 3-point field goals for the first time since Dec. 29, 2018.
Made double digit 3-pointers for the fifth time this season, first since hosting Stanislaus State on Dec. 14.
Outrebounded the opponent for the ninth time this season.

Player Notes

Aly Gamez – 13 points, 3 assists, 3 rebounds, 3 steals

Led the Bulldogs in scoring for the second time this season.
Tied her career-high with 7 3-point attempts (3-of-7).
Scored in double figures for the third consecutive game.
Led the team in steals for the third consecutive game .

Bree Delaney – 12 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block

Scored in double figures for the seventh time this season, first since the conference opener against San Jose State on Jan. 2.
The second time this season she made at least four 3-pointers.
Tied her season-high with eight 3-point attempts .
Shot at least 50 percent from the 3-point line for the ninth time this season.
Tied for the team lead with six points in the opening quarter, going 2-for-2 from three.

Listen in on coach White's thoughts on today's game🗣#GoDogs🐾🐾 pic.twitter.com/8InpPraVYF
— Fresno State WBB (@FresnoStateWBB) January 27, 2019

Next Up

Fresno State will conclude its two-game home stand by hosting Wyoming on Wednesday. The 'Dogs and Cowgirls are scheduled to tip off at 7 p.m. PT at the Save Mart Center.

"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.