Fresno State Athletics
Wednesday, January 29
Fresno, CA
6:00 PM PT
Fresno State
17-4 (10-0MW)
61
vs
52
Air Force
4-17 (2-8MW)
1
2
3
4
F
Air Force
10
7
20
15
52
Fresno State
14
15
17
15
61
Photo by: Kiel Maddox
Bulldogs grind out 61-52 win over Air Force
1/29/2020 10:50:00 PM | Women's Basketball
FRESNO, Calif. – Following up a comeback win at Boise State five days ago, Fresno State was pushed on Wednesday night, gutting out a 61-52 win at the Save Mart Center. The win moved the Bulldogs to 10-0 in Mountain West play to become the first team in league games to start 10-0 since Colorado State went 18-0 in 2016. The win also maintained Fresno State's (17-4, 10-0 MW) one-game lead in the conference standings.
The 'Dogs shot just 39.7 percent on the night but their defense also kept the Falcons grounded as they shot 34.9 percent.
Junior captain Aly Gamez led the team with a game-high 16 points on 5-of-8 shooting to go with nine rebounds. Hanna Cavinder added 13 points, five rebounds and four assists. Wytalla Motta finished with a season-high 11 points on an efficient 4-of-5 from the floor.
How It Happened
After giving up the opening bucket, Fresno State scored 12 of the next 14 points in the game to take a 12-4 lead just over six minutes into the game. Gamez had six of the Bulldogs' points in the run with four coming in transition. The Falcons answered with a 6-2 spurt to cut Fresno State's lead to 14-10 through 10 minutes.
The Bulldogs defense continued to hold the Falcons in check in the second, forcing six straight turnovers during a four-minute stretch early in the period. The turnovers aided the 'Dogs during an 8-0 run that started with back-to-back layups from Motta. As the Falcons pulled their deficit back under 10 late in the quarter, Kendyll Kinzer put the Bulldogs in front by 12 at the half with a 3-pointer with 19 seconds remaining. Fresno State took a 29-17 lead into the half after holding Air Force to 8-of-29 shooting through 20 minutes.
The 'Dogs built up their largest lead of the game at 16 just over four minutes into the third through an 8-2 spurt, but Air Force responded with a 6-0 stretch to get it back to 10 at 39-29. Gamez finished with the final seven points of the period for the Bulldogs but the Falcons did one better. A 3-pointer from Riley Snyder in the final seconds made it a nine-point game heading into the fourth.
With a layup from Motta to open the final frame, the Bulldogs pushed their lead to 11, but just under three minutes later, another three from Snyder cut Fresno State's lead to seven. Following a three from Kaelin Immel, the Bulldogs had the ball taken away at midcourt. That led to a breakaway layup and forced the 'Dogs to call a timeout with 4:19 on the clock, clinging to 52-50 lead. Out of the stoppage, Maddi Utti found Hanna Cavinder open from beyond the three-point line, and despite missing her first three attempts, the freshman sank it when it mattered as she gave the 'Dogs a five-point cushion with 3:55 remaining. Snyder answered by getting into the paint for a layup to cut Fresno State's lead, but Haley Cavinder sliced inside on the ensuing possession for a layup of her own. The Bulldogs connected on 4-of-6 from the free throw line to close out the game, 61-52.
Team Notes
Aly Gamez – 16 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals
Head Coach Jaime White
On the team leading the Mountain West and the games ahead…
"It's just best not to think of it too much. It's nice that we are, but just focusing on the next game I think has been the recipe, and really trying to figure out what they do offensively and defensively and matching it and then playing our best game. We play well on the road, we've taken a lot of pride to work hard and be ready for the games on the road. It's kind of fun because on the road you feel like it's you against the world and when you go to "The Pit," it kind of is. I think we're excited to play there. Some of our kids haven't played there and I think that's kind of fun too with the young kids that we have, they don't know what to expect. So we just go in, play our game, and hopefully come out with a victory."
Aly Gamez, Junior, Gaurd
On the team's mood when the other team begins to come back…
"Just keep pushing. We know we kind of let them come back into the game and we didn't want that, but at the end of the day we have to finish the game out and we know that."
Hanna Cavinder, Freshman, Guard
On the road games upcoming against New Mexico and Colorado State…
"I've just heard the environment is kind of crazy. Even at Boise, they had a huge crowd and I think we actually fed off that. I think we like playing in front of big crowds. And obviously they were going to bring out as many people as they want because we're the number one seed right now. Just like what Aly said, preparation, not trying to focus too much on that."
On playing in high energy games with a big audience…
"Honestly, I kind of forget about the crowd. I don't know why but I think just sticking together on the court and not worrying too much about what's being said, or what the crowd is saying to you, and just playing well as a team."
Next Up
Fresno State begins a two-game road swing on Saturday at New Mexico. Tipoff at Dreamstyle Arena is slated for 1 p.m. PT and will stream live 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 'Dogs shot just 39.7 percent on the night but their defense also kept the Falcons grounded as they shot 34.9 percent.
Junior captain Aly Gamez led the team with a game-high 16 points on 5-of-8 shooting to go with nine rebounds. Hanna Cavinder added 13 points, five rebounds and four assists. Wytalla Motta finished with a season-high 11 points on an efficient 4-of-5 from the floor.
How It Happened
After giving up the opening bucket, Fresno State scored 12 of the next 14 points in the game to take a 12-4 lead just over six minutes into the game. Gamez had six of the Bulldogs' points in the run with four coming in transition. The Falcons answered with a 6-2 spurt to cut Fresno State's lead to 14-10 through 10 minutes.
The Bulldogs defense continued to hold the Falcons in check in the second, forcing six straight turnovers during a four-minute stretch early in the period. The turnovers aided the 'Dogs during an 8-0 run that started with back-to-back layups from Motta. As the Falcons pulled their deficit back under 10 late in the quarter, Kendyll Kinzer put the Bulldogs in front by 12 at the half with a 3-pointer with 19 seconds remaining. Fresno State took a 29-17 lead into the half after holding Air Force to 8-of-29 shooting through 20 minutes.
The 'Dogs built up their largest lead of the game at 16 just over four minutes into the third through an 8-2 spurt, but Air Force responded with a 6-0 stretch to get it back to 10 at 39-29. Gamez finished with the final seven points of the period for the Bulldogs but the Falcons did one better. A 3-pointer from Riley Snyder in the final seconds made it a nine-point game heading into the fourth.
With a layup from Motta to open the final frame, the Bulldogs pushed their lead to 11, but just under three minutes later, another three from Snyder cut Fresno State's lead to seven. Following a three from Kaelin Immel, the Bulldogs had the ball taken away at midcourt. That led to a breakaway layup and forced the 'Dogs to call a timeout with 4:19 on the clock, clinging to 52-50 lead. Out of the stoppage, Maddi Utti found Hanna Cavinder open from beyond the three-point line, and despite missing her first three attempts, the freshman sank it when it mattered as she gave the 'Dogs a five-point cushion with 3:55 remaining. Snyder answered by getting into the paint for a layup to cut Fresno State's lead, but Haley Cavinder sliced inside on the ensuing possession for a layup of her own. The Bulldogs connected on 4-of-6 from the free throw line to close out the game, 61-52.
Team Notes
- Fresno State moves to 10-0, its best start in conference play since joining the Mountain West.
- The 10 straight wins is Fresno State's most to start any conference season since winning 11 straight to open the 2011-12 WAC season.
- Wednesday marked the third time this season that Fresno State was held without a 20-point quarter (2-1), and the second time in the last three games.
- While they started the year 0-4 when scoring below 70 points, the Bulldogs are 3-0 in its last five games when being held under 70.
- Fresno State committed 15 turnovers, its most in a game since Jan. 8 (21 vs. New Mexico). It was only the fourth time in 21 games the 'Dogs have committed 15 or more.
- With only two made 3-pointers, their fewest in any game this season, the Bulldogs moved to 3-0 on the year making three or less in a game.
Aly Gamez – 16 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals
- Led the team in scoring for the second time this season.
- Tied her season high in scoring.
- Fresno State moved to 8-0 this season when Gamez reaches double figures.
- Her nine rebounds is her second-highest total this year.
- 18th double-digit scoring game of the year.
- Scored or assisted on seven of the team's 15 points in the fourth quarter.
Head Coach Jaime White
On the team leading the Mountain West and the games ahead…
"It's just best not to think of it too much. It's nice that we are, but just focusing on the next game I think has been the recipe, and really trying to figure out what they do offensively and defensively and matching it and then playing our best game. We play well on the road, we've taken a lot of pride to work hard and be ready for the games on the road. It's kind of fun because on the road you feel like it's you against the world and when you go to "The Pit," it kind of is. I think we're excited to play there. Some of our kids haven't played there and I think that's kind of fun too with the young kids that we have, they don't know what to expect. So we just go in, play our game, and hopefully come out with a victory."
Aly Gamez, Junior, Gaurd
On the team's mood when the other team begins to come back…
"Just keep pushing. We know we kind of let them come back into the game and we didn't want that, but at the end of the day we have to finish the game out and we know that."
Hanna Cavinder, Freshman, Guard
On the road games upcoming against New Mexico and Colorado State…
"I've just heard the environment is kind of crazy. Even at Boise, they had a huge crowd and I think we actually fed off that. I think we like playing in front of big crowds. And obviously they were going to bring out as many people as they want because we're the number one seed right now. Just like what Aly said, preparation, not trying to focus too much on that."
On playing in high energy games with a big audience…
"Honestly, I kind of forget about the crowd. I don't know why but I think just sticking together on the court and not worrying too much about what's being said, or what the crowd is saying to you, and just playing well as a team."
Next Up
Fresno State begins a two-game road swing on Saturday at New Mexico. Tipoff at Dreamstyle Arena is slated for 1 p.m. PT and will stream live 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
AFA
FS
FG%
.349
.397
3FG%
.211
.111
FT%
.571
.650
RB
33
47
TO
15
15
STL
12
9
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
13
FGM
5
3FGM
1
FTM
2
Pts
11
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Pts
7
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's BasketballF
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