Fresno State Athletics
Wednesday, January 22
Fresno, CA
6:00 PM PT
Fresno State
15-4 (8-0MW)
55
vs
53
Colorado State
9-10 (3-5MW)
1
2
3
4
F
Colorado State
9
17
10
17
53
Fresno State
10
16
13
16
55
Photo by: Kiel Maddox
Gamez's buzzer beater keeps Fresno State unbeaten in Mountain West
1/22/2020 11:02:00 PM | Women's Basketball
FRESNO, Calif. – With the game tied at 53-53 with 4.4 on the clock, Fresno State's Aly Gamez took the ball at the top of the key, slipped past two Colorado State defenders and lofted a floater off the glass at the buzzer to help the Bulldogs remain unbeaten at 8-0 in Mountain West play on Wednesday night at the Save Mart Center. Gamez finished the game with 11 points, none bigger than the final two.
The 55 points was the lowest point total for the 'Dogs this season. After starting the year 0-4 when scoring less than 70 points, Fresno State has grinded through two low-scoring, physical games in the last eight days to win despite not hitting that mark.
While Maddi Utti totaled a team-high 12 points and 13 rebounds to post her fifth-straight double-double, the play of Gamez and freshman Kendyll Kinzer proved to be a decisive factor in the outcome. Despite shooting 4-of-11, Gamez produced the late game theatrics. For Kinzer, the freshman sharpshooter helped the 'Dogs through early game shooting difficulties with a pair of 3-pointers in the opening quarter, scoring nine of her 11 points in the first half off of the bench.
How It Happened
Fresno State and Colorado State failed to get their offenses going in the opening quarter, scoring just 19 combined points. Both started to settle in during the second, with CSU starting first with an 8-0 run in the early minutes to jump out to a 17-12 lead with 6:45 on the clock. The 'Dogs pulled back to within one but Tori Williams answered with the 3-pointer for the Rams. Haley Cavinder and Brooke Walling quickly responded, but again, the Rams knocked down a three, this time coming from Jamie Bonnarens. A minute later, Kinzer dropped in her third of the half from deep to knot the game up at 23-23. CSU took a 3-point lead with 1:25 remaining with a triple from Megan Jacobs but a drive from Gamez with 30 seconds on the clock turned into an and-1 to keep things level at the half.
Neither team could get any breathing room through the first five minutes of the third quarter as the largest lead stood at two. A layup from Hanna Cavinder at the 5:03 mark was followed by a 3 from Utti to give the 'Dogs their largest lead of the game at four. Gamez then extended it to six at the line with 2:16 on the clock. With nine seconds remaining though, Bonnarens cut the visitors deficit to three going into the final quarter. Fresno State maintained a slim lead through the fourth, twice pushing it to five in the final minutes but back-to-back buckets from Colorado State in the final minute, the second being a corner 3 from Bonnarens, tied the game at 53-53 and set up Gamez's winner at the horn.
Team Notes
Maddi Utti - 12 points, 13 rebounds, 2 steals
Jaime White, Fresno State Head Coach
On what this win means to the team…
"Well, I thought we just kept attacking the basket. We had some big baskets from Maddi. I thought the biggest thing was our defense towards the end. Unfortunately, we let that three go, but Aly hit a big-time shot."
On Aly Gamez's play…
"I think tonight, Aly was very adaptable. They decided to guard us a little bit differently than we've been guarded before and that created a little bit of a different offense for us. Aly was able to adapt to that and make the best out of it. Aly's defense is always solid and towards the end of the four quarter, what really helped us was her pressure. Getting touches, getting steals, and getting out into transition."
Aly Gamez, junior, guard
Reflecting on her off-season, this season, and the game-winner…
"It's been a long journey this season. Battling through injuries, fighting through some things, but you don't ever stop. Just keep going, keep pushing, and for that shot to go in, it means a lot."
On the success of the team…
"I think we're tough. We don't stop fighting. I think that's how we've been all year long. We're not going to back down to anybody. No matter if we're up 10 or down 16, we're going to keep fighting."
Kendyll Kinzer, freshman, forward
On making big shots against Colorado State…
"I know my role, I go in and shoot the ball. So when the three is not falling for the starters, I just really hope that off the bench I can do my job. I do expand their defense so our other players can drive and get in the lane. It really helps the offense overall."
What she has learned her first year playing…
"I think the hard work, the dedication. Like Aly said, we never quit, we never give up. I think a lot of us freshmen learn that from the upperclassmen. Coming in, they've always put in the work, they do the extra time, so coming into a program that already does that, you just want to do it too and I think it makes us a really strong team."
Next Up
After back-to-back home games, Fresno State heads to Boise State on Saturday where they will put their current unbeaten conference streak (8-0) up against the Broncos 18-straight home conference wins, stretch that dates back to January of 2018. Tipoff at Extramile Arena is slated for noon PT and will air on the Mountain West Network.
"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 call 559-278-7160.
Follow us on:
Twitter: @FresnoStateWBB
Instagram: fresnostwbb
Facebook: FresnoStateAthletics
The 55 points was the lowest point total for the 'Dogs this season. After starting the year 0-4 when scoring less than 70 points, Fresno State has grinded through two low-scoring, physical games in the last eight days to win despite not hitting that mark.
While Maddi Utti totaled a team-high 12 points and 13 rebounds to post her fifth-straight double-double, the play of Gamez and freshman Kendyll Kinzer proved to be a decisive factor in the outcome. Despite shooting 4-of-11, Gamez produced the late game theatrics. For Kinzer, the freshman sharpshooter helped the 'Dogs through early game shooting difficulties with a pair of 3-pointers in the opening quarter, scoring nine of her 11 points in the first half off of the bench.
How It Happened
Fresno State and Colorado State failed to get their offenses going in the opening quarter, scoring just 19 combined points. Both started to settle in during the second, with CSU starting first with an 8-0 run in the early minutes to jump out to a 17-12 lead with 6:45 on the clock. The 'Dogs pulled back to within one but Tori Williams answered with the 3-pointer for the Rams. Haley Cavinder and Brooke Walling quickly responded, but again, the Rams knocked down a three, this time coming from Jamie Bonnarens. A minute later, Kinzer dropped in her third of the half from deep to knot the game up at 23-23. CSU took a 3-point lead with 1:25 remaining with a triple from Megan Jacobs but a drive from Gamez with 30 seconds on the clock turned into an and-1 to keep things level at the half.
Neither team could get any breathing room through the first five minutes of the third quarter as the largest lead stood at two. A layup from Hanna Cavinder at the 5:03 mark was followed by a 3 from Utti to give the 'Dogs their largest lead of the game at four. Gamez then extended it to six at the line with 2:16 on the clock. With nine seconds remaining though, Bonnarens cut the visitors deficit to three going into the final quarter. Fresno State maintained a slim lead through the fourth, twice pushing it to five in the final minutes but back-to-back buckets from Colorado State in the final minute, the second being a corner 3 from Bonnarens, tied the game at 53-53 and set up Gamez's winner at the horn.
Team Notes
- Fresno State remains atop the Mountain West improving to 8-0 in conference play.
- The Bulldogs won just their second game of the year when scoring less than 70 points, and second in a row when doing so after opening the year 0-4 when scoring under 70.
- The 'Dogs tied with the second longest win streak to open up Mountain West play previously occurring in 2016 under Jaime White.
- The Bulldogs recorded three players in the double digits. The 'Dogs moved to 15-0 this season when that occurs.
- Fresno State has won its last two games when scoring less points off turnovers, the after losing its previous three. The 'Dogs sit at 3-3 on the year when scoring less off turnovers.
Maddi Utti - 12 points, 13 rebounds, 2 steals
- Fifth straight double-double, seventh of the season. It was the 19th of her career, which ties Tiffany Lewis for sixth in Fresno State history.
- Snatched a team high of 13 rebounds, her fifth time this season with at least 13, with all three coming in the last five games.
- Led the team in scoring for the eighth time this season.
- Seventh time this season scoring in the double-digits.
- Finished 3-of-3 in free throws.
- Her second time scoring in the double-digits this season.
- Led the team in three 3-pointers, shooting 3-of-5.
- Third time with three 3-pointers in game.
Jaime White, Fresno State Head Coach
On what this win means to the team…
"Well, I thought we just kept attacking the basket. We had some big baskets from Maddi. I thought the biggest thing was our defense towards the end. Unfortunately, we let that three go, but Aly hit a big-time shot."
On Aly Gamez's play…
"I think tonight, Aly was very adaptable. They decided to guard us a little bit differently than we've been guarded before and that created a little bit of a different offense for us. Aly was able to adapt to that and make the best out of it. Aly's defense is always solid and towards the end of the four quarter, what really helped us was her pressure. Getting touches, getting steals, and getting out into transition."
Aly Gamez, junior, guard
Reflecting on her off-season, this season, and the game-winner…
"It's been a long journey this season. Battling through injuries, fighting through some things, but you don't ever stop. Just keep going, keep pushing, and for that shot to go in, it means a lot."
On the success of the team…
"I think we're tough. We don't stop fighting. I think that's how we've been all year long. We're not going to back down to anybody. No matter if we're up 10 or down 16, we're going to keep fighting."
Kendyll Kinzer, freshman, forward
On making big shots against Colorado State…
"I know my role, I go in and shoot the ball. So when the three is not falling for the starters, I just really hope that off the bench I can do my job. I do expand their defense so our other players can drive and get in the lane. It really helps the offense overall."
What she has learned her first year playing…
"I think the hard work, the dedication. Like Aly said, we never quit, we never give up. I think a lot of us freshmen learn that from the upperclassmen. Coming in, they've always put in the work, they do the extra time, so coming into a program that already does that, you just want to do it too and I think it makes us a really strong team."
Next Up
After back-to-back home games, Fresno State heads to Boise State on Saturday where they will put their current unbeaten conference streak (8-0) up against the Broncos 18-straight home conference wins, stretch that dates back to January of 2018. Tipoff at Extramile Arena is slated for noon PT and will air on the Mountain West Network.
"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 call 559-278-7160.
Follow us on:
Twitter: @FresnoStateWBB
Instagram: fresnostwbb
Facebook: FresnoStateAthletics
Team Stats
CSU
FS
FG%
.373
.343
3FG%
.320
.190
FT%
.500
.833
RB
34
47
TO
7
8
STL
6
5
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
12
FGM
5
3FGM
1
FTM
1
Pts
11
FGM
4
3FGM
3
FTM
0
Pts
8
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's Basketball
C
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