Fresno State Athletics
Saturday, December 28
Fresno, CA
2:00 PM PT
Fresno State
vs
UC Merced
Photo by: Kiel Maddox
'Dogs close nonconference slate Saturday versus UC Merced
12/27/2019 12:10:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Game 13: Fresno State (8-4) vs. UC Merced (6-6)
Dec. 28, 2019 • 2 p.m. PT • Fresno, Calif. (Save Mart Center)
Stream: Mountain West Network (pxp Matt Norville)
Radio:Â 790 AMÂ ESPN2
Live Stats:Â bulldogslive.com
Series History:Â Fresno State leads 1-0
Last Meeting:Â Fresno State won 74-50 on Nov. 8, 2013 in Fresno, Calif.
Bulldog Bones  Â
Prior to the Bulldogs' last game at Santa Clara, Fresno State was feasting on opponents' turnovers. The 10 points off turnovers against the Broncos was the Bulldogs' lowest total since the team's last loss on Nov. 29, the last time the 'Dogs scored less points off turnovers than their opponent.Â
- During Fresno State's four-game winning streak (Nov. 30-Dec. 12), the team was averaging 27.8 points off turnovers. Three of the Bulldogs' highest points off turnovers totals came during the four-game stretch.
Well-rested  Â
Saturday will be the Bulldogs third game in 16 games, their least amount of games in a stretch that long this season. Fresno State had previously not played less than four games in a two-week stretch.Â
- The Bulldogs will play four games in the next 12 days with the resumption of the conference season on Jan. 1.
No looking back  Â
Through 12 games, the Bulldogs have shown a propensity for getting halftime leads and not looking back. Fresno State is 7-0 when leading at the half and has not surrendered the lead at any point in the second half in any of those games. On the other side, the Bulldogs have come back from a halftime deficit just once in five opportunities.
Top-down  Â
The Bulldogs have proved to be successful when their starters are producing. That has included six of their eight wins coming when their top three scorers have been the trio of Haley Cavinder, Hanna Cavinder and Maddi Utti. Led by those three, Fresno State is 8-0 when its starting five has outscored its opponents' five, while going 0-4 when its group has been outscored.
"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in life. To become a BDF member, please visit bulldogfoundation.org.Â
Â
Dec. 28, 2019 • 2 p.m. PT • Fresno, Calif. (Save Mart Center)
Stream: Mountain West Network (pxp Matt Norville)
Radio:Â 790 AMÂ ESPN2
Live Stats:Â bulldogslive.com
Series History:Â Fresno State leads 1-0
Last Meeting:Â Fresno State won 74-50 on Nov. 8, 2013 in Fresno, Calif.
Bulldog Bones  Â
- Fresno State will conclude its nonconference slate on Saturday with UC Merced.
- The Bulldogs have faced nine non-Division I teams during the last five years, winning by an average of just over 30.9 points per game. The 'Dogs previously defeated D-III opponent La Verne this season 111-56.
- Fresno State sits tied for the third-most wins in the Mountain West with eight, and holds the second-best winning percentage (.667).
- The Bulldogs are 4-1 this season at the Save Mart Center. Fresno State has averaged 11.4 wins per season at home since the opening of the SMC in 2003.
- Fresno State is 8-0 this season when scoring more than 70 points, yet is 0-4 when it does not reach 70.
- With three players in its starting lineup who can play the point, Fresno State has been protective of the ball this year, ranking No. 7 in the NCAA with only 12.1 turnovers per game.
- Fresno State's interchangeable offensive leaders have been freshmen Hanna Cavinder (17.1) Haley Cavinder (16.0) and junior Maddi Utti (17.1). The trio ranks second, third and fourth in the conference in scoring, and is the only trio to rank in the top four of any league in scoring.
- UC Merced enters Saturday's game with a 6-6 record.
- The Bobcats have been off since Dec. 9 after a 67-62 loss to Westcliff University.
- UC Merced averages 62.1 points per game while holding opponents to 59.1.
- Despite outscoring their opponents on average, the Bobcats shoot just 33.7 percent from the field and 28.2 percent from 3.
- UC Merced's offense is led by the duo of Mia Belvin and Haylee Owen who are averaging 17.5 and 17.3 points per game, more than half of the team's scoring (34.8).
- Rainah Smith chips in 6.1 points per contest and a team-leading 6.6 rebounds per game.
- Fresno State and UC Merced have met once in their history.
- The Bulldogs defeated the Bobcats 74-50 at the Save Mart Center on Nov. 8, 2013. Bree Farley led the 'Dogs with 16 points and nine rebounds.
Prior to the Bulldogs' last game at Santa Clara, Fresno State was feasting on opponents' turnovers. The 10 points off turnovers against the Broncos was the Bulldogs' lowest total since the team's last loss on Nov. 29, the last time the 'Dogs scored less points off turnovers than their opponent.Â
- During Fresno State's four-game winning streak (Nov. 30-Dec. 12), the team was averaging 27.8 points off turnovers. Three of the Bulldogs' highest points off turnovers totals came during the four-game stretch.
Well-rested  Â
Saturday will be the Bulldogs third game in 16 games, their least amount of games in a stretch that long this season. Fresno State had previously not played less than four games in a two-week stretch.Â
- The Bulldogs will play four games in the next 12 days with the resumption of the conference season on Jan. 1.
No looking back  Â
Through 12 games, the Bulldogs have shown a propensity for getting halftime leads and not looking back. Fresno State is 7-0 when leading at the half and has not surrendered the lead at any point in the second half in any of those games. On the other side, the Bulldogs have come back from a halftime deficit just once in five opportunities.
Top-down  Â
The Bulldogs have proved to be successful when their starters are producing. That has included six of their eight wins coming when their top three scorers have been the trio of Haley Cavinder, Hanna Cavinder and Maddi Utti. Led by those three, Fresno State is 8-0 when its starting five has outscored its opponents' five, while going 0-4 when its group has been outscored.
"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in life. To become a BDF member, please visit bulldogfoundation.org.Â
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Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Basketball
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/ Women's Basketball
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