'Dogs roll in 92-26 win over UC Merced

Saturday, December 28

Fresno, CA

2:00 PM PT

Fresno State

9-4

UC Merced

6-7

UC Merced

Fresno State

Photo by: Keith Kountz

'Dogs roll in 92-26 win over UC Merced

12/28/2019 6:37:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Photo Gallery (Keith Kountz)

By: Josh Mitchell / Assistant Director of Communications

FRESNO, Calif. – Holding UC Merced to 20.8 percent from the floor, Fresno State coasted to a 92-26 win on Saturday afternoon at the Save Mart Center after allowing its lowest point total since 1975.

The Bulldogs were led by Haley Cavinder's 19 points and nine rebounds. Fourteen of the freshman's points came in the first half. Maddi Utti added 17 points in 16 minutes, scoring 15 of those in the first half on 7-of-8 shooting. Aly Gamez poured in 12 points in 19 minutes off the bench in her first action since Dec. 7. Despite an off-day from the field, Hanna Cavinder controlled the backcourt with nine assists and six steals to go with nine points.

How It Happened
Fresno State raced out to a 15-3 lead five minutes into the game after forcing five turnovers. Thirteen of those points came from Haley Cavinder (7 points) and Maddi Utti (6 points). Leading 21-7 after the opening quarter, the 'Dogs opened the second with 20 unanswered points after hitting nine of their first 10 shots in the period. Three-pointers from Haley and Kendyll Kinzer late in the half pushed Fresno State's advantage to 41-11 at the break.

The Bulldogs continued to push early in the third behind Wytalla Motta who scored eight points during a 10-2 run to start. Following a 3-pointer from UC Merced's Haylee Owen, the 'Dogs responded with a 13-1 spurt which helped stretch their lead out to 50 through three. Pulling the ball back and working their offense through much of the fourth, Fresno State knocked down five of its nine triples in the period with two coming from Katelin Noyer. Holding the Bobcats to their fourth quarter in single digits, the Bulldogs finished the game with a 66-point win.

Team Notes

The 26 points was the lowest total allowed since holding Cal Poly to 22 in 1975 (53-22).
Fresno State forced an opponent into 20-plus turnovers for the fourth time this season. The 27 forced were the second-most behind Cal Poly's 29 in the season opener.
The turnovers resulted in a season-high 37 points for the Bulldogs, which surpassed the 35 against Utah State on Dec. 7.
The 'Dogs shot over 50 percent from field (52.7%) for the third time this year and the second time in their last three outings.
Fresno State saw a season-high 38 points come from its bench.

Player Notes
Haley Cavinder – 19 points, 9 rebounds, 4 steals, 2 assists

Led the Bulldogs in scoring for the third time.
Led the team in rebounding for the fourth time.
Swiped her second-most steals this season.

Maddi Utti – 17 points, 3 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 assists

Shot a season-high 80 percent from the field (8-of-10).
Recorded her highest points-per-minute ratio of the season at 1.1.

Aly Gamez – 12 points, 3 rebounds

First game action since Dec. 7.
Third time scoring double figures in 10 appearances this year.
Shot 5-of-8 from the field.

Hanna Cavinder – 9 points, 9 assists, 6 steals, 4 rebounds

Dished nine assists for the second time this month.
Swiped a season-high six steals.
Saw double-digit scoring streak to start her career end at 12.

"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.