Fresno State drops nail-biter, 59-58, to San Diego State on Senior Night

Monday, March 4

Fresno, Calif.

7 p.m. PT

Fresno State

18-10 (11-6MW)

San Diego State

11-17 (6-11MW)

San Diego State

Fresno State

Photo by: Keith Kountz

Fresno State drops nail-biter, 59-58, to San Diego State on Senior Night

3/4/2019 10:53:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Photo Gallery (Keith Kountz)

By: Josh Mitchell / Assistant Director of Communications

FRESNO, Calif. – With emotions running high on Senior Night, Fresno State struggled to click offensively until late, ultimately falling 59-58 on Wednesday night at Save Mart Center. Maddi Utti had look from inside 10 feet at the buzzer, but a shot that would normally fall for the sophomore, rimmed off on an off-shooting night for the Bulldogs.

Utti posted her sixth double-double of the season with 10 points and 12 rebounds. Aly Gamez led the Bulldogs in scoring with 18 points. Fresno State though would shoot 35.5 percent (22-of-62) from the field and only 24 percent (6-of-25) from beyond the arc.

How It Happened
Fresno State started the game with a 5-0 lead with buckets coming from seniors Raven Johnson and Breanne Knishka. The advantage would quickly disappear though as the Aztecs would put together a 12-2 run during a five-minute stretch to take a 12-7 lead with 3:27 on the clock. A 3-pointer from Bree Delaney with 35 seconds remaining would pull the 'Dogs within two but SDSU would get a layup shortly before the buzzer to take a 16-12 advantage after one.

Naje Murrary scored the first five points of the second quarter and Tea Adams added a free throw to extend the Aztecs' lead to 10 less than three minutes into the second period. The Bulldogs answered with a 6-0 spurt but they would only score two points the rest of the half as San Diego State would take a 27-20 lead into the break.

The Aztecs opened the second half with five quick points to build their lead to 12 at 32-20. Fresno State would then cut the deficit to five with under four minutes remaining in the quarter after a jumper and a 3-pointer from Gamez. The Aztecs would push their lead back seven at 45-38 by the end of the period.

Trailing by 11 with under six minutes to play, the Bulldogs cut into their deficit at the free throw line, hitting six straight during the ensuing to two minutes. Adams then ended the Aztecs' drought, draining a 3-pointer with the shot clock winding down. Candice White would respond with a 3 of her own with under three minutes to play, and Utti would add layup to cut the Bulldogs' deficit to 55-52 with 2:06 remaining in the game.

Continuing to work the clock, Sophia Ramos would again find a bucket for the Aztecs late in the shot clock. Off of an offensive rebound from White, the senior would find Gamez behind the 3-point line for a 3 that would bring the 'Dogs within two with 36 ticks left on the clock. Adams would then convert two at the line but White would sink a 3-pointer with 10 seconds on the clock to bring the 'Dogs within one. After Mallory Adams was immediately fouled, the freshman went to the line and missed both free throw attempts for the Aztecs. After calling a timeout to advance the ball into the front court, the Bulldogs had time to draw up a play with 5.9 seconds. The Bulldogs got the ball into Utti's hands where the sophomore looked to drive the baseline, rose up from inside 10 feet but the shot would skim off the backside of the rim.

Team Notes

The Bulldogs finish the regular season with an 11-4 home record.
Fresno State is 2-2 in games decided by a single possession this season.
Fresno State is 4-7 when shooting less than 40 percent this season.
The Bulldogs are 1-4 when scoring less than 60 points this season.
The Bulldogs held SDSU to 26.7 percent from beyond the arc. The Aztecs rank third in the MW in 3-point percentage.
Fresno State dropped its first home game to San Diego State since 2014 and first loss to SDSU since 2016. SDSU leads the all-time series record 28-22.
Fresno State will be the No. 4 seed in the Mountain West tournament and face either UNLV or Utah State next Monday.

Player Notes
Aly Gamez – 18 points, 3 steals, 1 rebound, 1 assist

Led the Bulldogs in scoring for the fourth time this season.
Had her 17^th double-figure outing of the season.
Scored her most points since scoring 22 against UNLV on Feb. 9.
Scored all of her points in the second half.
Had three steals for the second consecutive game.
Has had at least one steal in 25 games this season.
Played a team-high 39 minutes.

Maddi Utti – 10 points, 12 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1 assist

Recorded her sixth double-double of the season, ninth of her career.
Had the Bulldogs' only blocks in the game.
Was perfect from the free throw line (2-for-2).
Played 38 minutes for the 'Dogs.

Up Next
Fresno State will hit the road for its final game of the regular season at San Jose State on Thursday. Tipoff at the Event Center is slated for 7 p.m. PT.

"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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