Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
10-4 (3-0MW)
Utah State
7-7 (2-1MW)
'Dogs down Aggies, remain undefeated in conference play
1/9/2019 11:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
FRESNO, Calif. – In a physical, back-and-forth game, Fresno State took down Utah State 70-59 at home in the Save Mart Center on Wednesday night. Utah State held a three-point lead going into the half, but the 'Dogs took over after the break, outscoring the Aggies 23-13 in the third quarter. The Bulldogs put up 43 second-half points overall and finished the game shooting 50 percent from the floor.
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After dropping 28 points in the previous game against Colorado State, senior guard Candice White led the 'Dogs on offense once again. The floor general picked up a double-double by scoring 26 points and pulling down 10 rebounds. Along with her volume, White knocked down her shots at a 50 percent clip with 22 of her points coming in the second half. Jordanna Porter, Kristina Cavey and Genna Ogier each chimed in with nine points apiece, and Maddi Utti also added eight points and seven rebounds.
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How It Happened
After grinding out the first few possessions of the game, Fresno State claimed the first substantial lead behind a pair of 3's from Cavey and Ogier along with a jumper from Aly Gamez to jump ahead 10-4. The two squads traded blows for the remainder of the quarter until Utah State went on a six-point run to close the quarter and cut the Fresno State lead to 17-14.
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The Aggies carried their momentum into the second quarter, extending their run to 12 points behind a pair of 3's to move ahead by three before Fresno State answered with a pair of buckets to take back a 21-20 lead. Neither side was able to create separation for the remainder of the half, but a pair of 3's from Utah State put the Aggies on top 30-27 heading into the locker room.
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In the third quarter, Fresno State began to take over the game, namely led by White with 14 points in the quarter alone. The 'Dogs went on an 11-1 run midway through the quarter, successfully attacking in all phases to distance themselves from the Aggies with a 44-35 lead. Utah State stayed close throughout the rest of the quarter, trailing 50-43 going into the final 10 minutes.
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To open the fourth quarter, the 'Dogs and Aggies both traded jumpers and a pair of free throws. A 3-pointer by Porter along with a pair of buckets from Cavey and Utti gave Fresno State a 15-point cushion. The Aggies would fight back with a flurry of 3's to cut the Bulldog lead to seven, but that proved to be as close as Utah State would get as Fresno State knocked down a pair of free throws and a jumper to close out the game, 70-59.
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Team Notes
- Fresno State is 3-0 in Mountain West play for the fourth time in its seven years in the league and currently has a half-game lead for first in the conference over Boise State, who was idle on Wednesday.
- The Bulldogs move to 8-0 in the Save Mart Center this season.
- Fresno State handed Utah State its first conference loss of the season and now owns the all-time series lead, 21-4. ÂÂ
- Fresno State won its first game this season after trailing at the half.
- Fresno State shot 50.0 percent from the field for the first time since facing New Mexico on March 2, 2018.
- Wednesday marked the first time this season that the Bulldogs won with only one player scoring in double figures.
Player Notes
Candice White – 26 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists
- Had her 10th consecutive game scoring in double figures, dating back to Nov. 23.
- Grabbed a season-high 10 rebounds.
- Had her first double-double of the season and fifth of her career.
- Drilled a season-high eight free throws.
- Scored 22 of her 26 points in the second half.
- Is now ninth in scoring at Fresno State, passing Omelogo Udeze (2000-03) and Tierre Wilson (2004-08).Â
Fresno State hits the road again to take on Nevada in Reno on Saturday. Tipoff is slated for 2 p.m. PT and will stream 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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