Fourth-quarter defense hands 'Dogs 73-55 win over UNLV

Saturday, February 9

Fresno, Calif.

2 p.m. PT

Fresno State

15-7 (8-3MW)

UNLV

7-15 (5-6MW)

UNLV

Fresno State

Photo by: Justin Tafoya/NCAA Photos

Fourth-quarter defense hands 'Dogs 73-55 win over UNLV

2/9/2019 6:35:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Fresno State did not allow a made field goal in the fourth quarter (0-of-13), marking the first time ever to not allow a field goal in a quarter.

By: Josh Mitchell / Assistant Director of Communications

FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno State women's basketball team used an electric fourth quarter to down UNLV, 73-55, on Saturday afternoon at the Save Mart Center. Much of the game was tightly contested, but the 'Dogs outscored the Lady Rebels 25-6 in the fourth to come out with the 18-point win. Fresno State held UNLV to 0-of-13 from the field in the final period, the first time the Bulldogs have ever held an opponent without a made field goal in a quarter.

Sophomore guard Aly Gamez led Fresno State's offensive attack, pouring in 22 points while going 8-of-11 from the field, snatching seven rebounds and dishing out four assists. Sophomore forward Maddi Utti stayed active throughout the day, picking up 10 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks for her fourth double-double of the season and seventh of her career. Two more 'Dogs ended the game in double figure scoring in senior guard Candice White, who picked up 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting to go with three assists, and sophomore forward Genna Ogier, who pitched in 10 points, eight rebounds and four assists.

How It Happened
Both sides had no trouble scoring early on, trading blows throughout the quarter. Fresno State cracked things open with a 3-pointer from Bree Delaney, but UNLV answered with a pair of jumpers and a layup to take a 6-3 lead. Back to back 3's from the 'Dogs put them back on top, 9-6. The two sides traded jumpers and layups evenly for the next two minutes before UNLV took a 15-13 lead behind a 3-pointer and a pair of free throws. Delaney picked up her eighth point of the quarter to even the score again, but UNLV closed out the quarter with four straight points.

The Lady Rebels opened the second quarter with a layup to extend their lead to six, but the 'Dogs responded with an old-fashioned 3-point play from Candice White and a 3-pointer from Breanne Knishka to square things up. For the next four minutes, the two teams delivered even blows until an Ogier 3-pointer put the 'Dogs up by one. Fresno State added jumpers from Utti and Gamez, but UNLV came right back to even things up yet again. In the final two minutes, both sides punched in a layup and a 3-pointer a piece to go into the half tied at 37-37.

Fresno State came out hot in the third, starting the quarter with another 3 from Ogier and a layup from Gamez. UNLV added a 3-pointer to draw within two, but the 'Dogs extended their lead to six behind a jumper from Utti and a layup from White. The Lady Rebels followed that run jumping back on top, holding Fresno State scoreless for the next six minutes and while going on a 9-0 run keyed by a 3-pointer. Despite the scoring drought, Fresno State added a final jumper from Ogier with 35 seconds remaining to exit the quarter down one.

The 'Dogs got back on track in the fourth quarter, starting with a 3-pointer from Gamez to take a two-point lead. Both sides traded a pair of free throws each before UNLV added one more to cut the Bulldog lead to one. Following that, Fresno State locked down defensively, going on a 13-0 run with seven straight coming from White, while holding UNLV scoreless for the next five minutes. UNLV broke the run with a pair of free throws, but Fresno State answered back with a layup from Gamez to keep a 14-point lead. The Lady Rebels would knock down another free throw to follow, but that would be their final point of the game. The 'Dogs stifled UNLV defensively for the remaining three minutes and added five free throws during that span to take the win, 73-55. Fresno State outscored UNLV 25-9 in the fourth quarter, proving to be the difference.

Team Notes

Recording the most blocks in a game this season with eight. The Bulldogs surpassed the previous high in the first 16 minutes of the game with six.
Third consecutive game with four players in double figures.
Made more 3-pointers than opponent for the 16^th time, moving their record to 14-2 in those games.
Shot a season-high 53.8 percent from the field, the third game in conference play shooting over 50 percent (3-0).
Outrebounded opponent for the 12^th time (33-28), holding a 10-2 record in those contest.
Fresno State did not allow a made field in the fourth quarter (0-of-13). It was the first time since the quarter system was instituted for the 2015-16 season that the Bulldogs have not allowed a made field goal in a quarter.

Player Notes
Aly Gamez – 22 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists

Scored a season-high 22 points.
Logged her second game scoring at least 20 points this season.
Led the team in scoring for the third time this season.
Had 13 points in eight minutes of play in the fourth quarter.
Was perfect from the free throw line for the 10^thtime this season.
Logged a team-high 36 minutes.

Maddi Utti – 10 points, 10 rebounds, 5 blocks, 2 steals, 1 assist

Recorded her fourth double-double this season and second in the last three games.
Picked up a career-high five blocks.
Had her fourth consecutive double-digit scoring outing.
Led the team in rebounds for the third consecutive game.
Logged 35 minutes for the Bulldogs.

🗣: Listen in on @CoachJWhite's thoughts on today's game⬇️ #GoDogs🐾🐾 pic.twitter.com/j9x2RWPRgh
— Fresno State WBB (@FresnoStateWBB) February 10, 2019

🗣: Sophomore guard Aly Gamez added her postgame thoughts⬇️ #GoDogs🐾🐾 pic.twitter.com/P7RICVc4Ks
— Fresno State WBB (@FresnoStateWBB) February 10, 2019

Up Next
Fresno State will hit the road again for a midweek matchup against conference leader Boise State on Wednesday at 6 p.m. PT in Boise, Idaho, at the Taco Bell Arena.

"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.