Fresno State Athletics
Thursday, December 3
Fresno, CA
6 P.M. PT
Fresno State
1-2
83
vs
89
Colorado State
3-0
1
2
3
4
F
Colorado State
20
16
24
29
89
Fresno State
24
14
22
23
83
Bulldogs suffer setback to Colorado State in high-scoring MW opener
12/3/2020 10:59:00 PM | Women's Basketball
FRESNO, Calif. – Close throughout, Fresno State dropped its Mountain West opener Thursday night, allowing a 12-0 fourth quarter run be the difference in an 89-83 defeat to Colorado State on Thursday night at the Save Mart Center.
Four Bulldogs finished in double figures with Haley Cavinder scoring a game-high 24 points followed by Hanna Cavinder's 22 points. Maddi Utti chipped in 16 points and Kendyll Kinzer had 11 off of the bench. The Rams one-upped the 'Dogs though as five CSU players scored double figures with Lore Devos accounting for 19 points to go with 10 rebounds.
How It Happened
Following a layup from CSU's Tori Williams to open the game, Fresno State took the lead and held it though much of the opening three quarters. The 'Dogs twice held eight-point leads in the first quarter, and again in the second following 7- and 8-0 spurts. Each time, though, Colorado State had answers to cut into its deficit. The last of the first half was a 7-2 stretch to close after Fresno State built their lead to 34-26 midway through the quarter.
Leading by two at the break, Fresno State saw its first deficit since the opening minute come 7:49 in third quarter following a 3-pointer from Devos. Haley Cavinder answered with a 3-pointer of her own. The sophomore guard then sank another a minute later. Hanna Cavinder followed with trey with 5:13 on the clock as the 'Dogs seemed to take control with a 13-4 run to give themselves a 57-49 lead. The advantage was pulled back to seven with under three minutes to go before CSU scored seven unanswered to tie the game heading into the fourth.
The 3-point line was the difference in the final period as the Rams knocked down two in the first two minutes to take a four-point lead. The 'Dogs pulled level with 6:43 through the Cavinders were attacking the basket and getting to the line.
But Fresno State missed its next six shots during a three-minute span and CSU went on a 12-0 run that was bookended by 3's. The 'Dogs could only pull to as close as six the rest of the way.
Team Notes
Players Notes
Haley Cavinder – 24 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals
Head Coach Jaime White
On starting Mountain West play with a loss…
"It is pretty disappointing obviously, our players and staff were not excited to see that outcome. I think Colorado State is a completely different team than last year. I think they played well and you can't take that away from them. I feel at times we did not match their urgency or energy and we have to. In this environment, we can't rely on anybody but ourselves and I don't know if we did that to the extent that we have done that in the past.
On the pregame celebrations…
"It was nice to see the banner dropped and we had a great year last year and that was the celebration of that. It was sad to not have our fans with us to see that and Aly Gamez's 1,000th point ball, but the world is what it is and you have to adjust."
On the Mountain West banner being unveiled…
"On my way to Save Mart Center tonight, my family said this is the first time we haven't been to one of your home games and it hit that is a bummer and then I thought of our fans and some of our fans who may have never missed a home game at Fresno State. It is sad not to be able to share that with them, but as we are going through this new normal our players are realizing we have to be together in all of this. We have to cherish the moments and that was a special moment. You have to feel good about the year you had last year and I hope our seniors from last year saw it as they were a huge part of our team also. It should be a moment you always remember and as coaches that is the first banner we've hung here and championship that we won here and that was special for us too. You have to celebrate along the way."
Hanna Cavinder, sophomore guard
On being back inside the Save Mart Center…
"It felt really good. It was a little weird because we get such good fans with the Red Wave. Our team did a pretty good job to not let it affect us. We usually have the crowd as a sixth man so we are still trying to get the hang of that, but overall it was good to be back."
On what she takes from tonight's game that the Bulldogs can take into Friday's game…
"I think they are a little quicker with their point guard. They definitely shoot the ball way better and they hit the high post shots. We just have to adjust and make the simple changes, I think we will be okay."
On seeing the Mountain West championship banner dropped…
"It was really emotional. It meant a lot to our team. We put in a lot of work for it. It is very motivating though, we don't just want to hang one, we want to hang a lot. It is motivating and hopefully we get another one soon."
Up Next
Fresno State returns to the court tomorrow for the second game of the series with Colorado State. Tipoff is at 6 p.m. PT.
"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
Four Bulldogs finished in double figures with Haley Cavinder scoring a game-high 24 points followed by Hanna Cavinder's 22 points. Maddi Utti chipped in 16 points and Kendyll Kinzer had 11 off of the bench. The Rams one-upped the 'Dogs though as five CSU players scored double figures with Lore Devos accounting for 19 points to go with 10 rebounds.
How It Happened
Following a layup from CSU's Tori Williams to open the game, Fresno State took the lead and held it though much of the opening three quarters. The 'Dogs twice held eight-point leads in the first quarter, and again in the second following 7- and 8-0 spurts. Each time, though, Colorado State had answers to cut into its deficit. The last of the first half was a 7-2 stretch to close after Fresno State built their lead to 34-26 midway through the quarter.
Leading by two at the break, Fresno State saw its first deficit since the opening minute come 7:49 in third quarter following a 3-pointer from Devos. Haley Cavinder answered with a 3-pointer of her own. The sophomore guard then sank another a minute later. Hanna Cavinder followed with trey with 5:13 on the clock as the 'Dogs seemed to take control with a 13-4 run to give themselves a 57-49 lead. The advantage was pulled back to seven with under three minutes to go before CSU scored seven unanswered to tie the game heading into the fourth.
The 3-point line was the difference in the final period as the Rams knocked down two in the first two minutes to take a four-point lead. The 'Dogs pulled level with 6:43 through the Cavinders were attacking the basket and getting to the line.
But Fresno State missed its next six shots during a three-minute span and CSU went on a 12-0 run that was bookended by 3's. The 'Dogs could only pull to as close as six the rest of the way.
Team Notes
- For only the third time in the Jaime White era, the 'Dogs lost when scoring more than 80 points. The previous two losses came at UCLA on Dec. 7, 2018 (89-80) and at home against New Mexico in overtime on March 2, 2018 (93-89).
- The 'Dogs gave up their most points since Dec. 21, 2019 at Santa Clara when the Broncos scored 90 points.
- Winners of six of the previous seven meetings with the Rams, it was the 'Dogs first loss at home to Colorado State since Feb. 11, 2017.
- It was the first time since the 2016-17 season that Fresno State dropped its first Mountain West home game.
Players Notes
Haley Cavinder – 24 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals
- Led the team in scoring for the first time this season.
- Recorded her 12th 20-point game of her career.
- Second game leading the 'Dogs in rebounding this year.
- Second game with at least eight rebounds.
- Second straight 20-point game.
- Recorded 11th career 20-point game.
- Tied career in points with 11. Previously had 11 against Colorado State on Jan. 22, 2020.
Head Coach Jaime White
On starting Mountain West play with a loss…
"It is pretty disappointing obviously, our players and staff were not excited to see that outcome. I think Colorado State is a completely different team than last year. I think they played well and you can't take that away from them. I feel at times we did not match their urgency or energy and we have to. In this environment, we can't rely on anybody but ourselves and I don't know if we did that to the extent that we have done that in the past.
On the pregame celebrations…
"It was nice to see the banner dropped and we had a great year last year and that was the celebration of that. It was sad to not have our fans with us to see that and Aly Gamez's 1,000th point ball, but the world is what it is and you have to adjust."
On the Mountain West banner being unveiled…
"On my way to Save Mart Center tonight, my family said this is the first time we haven't been to one of your home games and it hit that is a bummer and then I thought of our fans and some of our fans who may have never missed a home game at Fresno State. It is sad not to be able to share that with them, but as we are going through this new normal our players are realizing we have to be together in all of this. We have to cherish the moments and that was a special moment. You have to feel good about the year you had last year and I hope our seniors from last year saw it as they were a huge part of our team also. It should be a moment you always remember and as coaches that is the first banner we've hung here and championship that we won here and that was special for us too. You have to celebrate along the way."
Hanna Cavinder, sophomore guard
On being back inside the Save Mart Center…
"It felt really good. It was a little weird because we get such good fans with the Red Wave. Our team did a pretty good job to not let it affect us. We usually have the crowd as a sixth man so we are still trying to get the hang of that, but overall it was good to be back."
On what she takes from tonight's game that the Bulldogs can take into Friday's game…
"I think they are a little quicker with their point guard. They definitely shoot the ball way better and they hit the high post shots. We just have to adjust and make the simple changes, I think we will be okay."
On seeing the Mountain West championship banner dropped…
"It was really emotional. It meant a lot to our team. We put in a lot of work for it. It is very motivating though, we don't just want to hang one, we want to hang a lot. It is motivating and hopefully we get another one soon."
Up Next
Fresno State returns to the court tomorrow for the second game of the series with Colorado State. Tipoff is at 6 p.m. PT.
"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%
.493
.464
3FG%
.385
.304
FT%
.786
.632
RB
44
32
TO
10
6
STL
4
7
Game Leaders
Pts
24
FGM
8
3FGM
3
FTM
5
Pts
22
FGM
9
3FGM
2
FTM
2
Pts
16
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Pts
11
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
1
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's BasketballF
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