Fresno State Athletics
Friday, December 4
Fresno, CA
6 P.M. PT
Fresno State
78
vs
74
Colorado State
Photo by: Keith Kountz
Bulldogs split series with Rams behind 78-74 win on Friday night
12/4/2020 11:13:00 PM | Women's Basketball
FRESNO, Calif. – Not knowing what to expect in the new conference scheduling format, the Mountain West's first series of the basketball season was a split as Fresno State came back against Colorado State, winning the second game of the series 78-74 on Friday night at the Save Mart Center. Like a day earlier in which the Rams used a strong fourth quarter to overcome deficits throughout the game, the Bulldogs did the same a day later, taking the lead late and not looking back after trailing for more than 30 minutes.
Despite a 12-point difference from the 3-point line which saw the Rams hit at least 10 from deep for the second straight night (10-of-26), Fresno State countered by attacking the rim and getting to the free throw line. The 'Dogs finished the game 18-of-22 from the stripe compared to CSU's 4-of-4. Eleven of the Bulldogs' 18 makes came in the second half as they mounted their comeback.
Haley Cavinder and Aly Gamez each registered a double-double with Cavinder notching a team-high 19 points and 13 rebounds while Gamez closed the game picking up her 10th rebound and last two of her 10 points from the line with under 10 seconds to go to ice the game. Hanna Cavinder also tied her sister with 19 points and Maddi Utti chipped in 16.
Colorado State's Sydney Mech led all scorers with 24 points.
How It Happened
Fresno State was firing out the gates to, taking an early 8-2 lead but the Rams quickly struck back, scoring 13 unanswered while shooting 6-of-7 during the stretch and knocking down three 3's to force the 'Dogs into a timeout. Keely Brown, who had a season-high eight points, ended the run with a 3 from the top of the key. CSU answered, but trailing by seven, Fresno State closed the quarter with a 6-0 run to pull back within one at the end of the period at 18-17.
Mech put the Rams on her back in the second, helping build their lead back up to eight as she accounted for 11 of their 16 points through the opening six minutes. The Bulldogs managed to remain close with Haley Cavinder scoring eight in the quarter with the last three coming in the final 30 seconds to bring the 'Dogs within six at the half at 41-35.
Mech extended CSU's lead to 10 early in the third with a pair of buckets. The 'Dogs climbed back and leveled the game through a 12-2 three-minute stretch midway through the period with the Cavinders and Utti accounting for all 12 points. Utti then gave the Bulldogs their first lead since early in the second quarter with an and-1. CSU countered though with a 7-2 spurt to close the quarter and take a 58-54 lead. Mech then added a 3-pointer to open the scoring in the final frame to put the Rams up seven.
Trailing by four with 5:54 to play Utti started the comeback, knocking down her second 3-pointer of the night. That triggered another 12-2 run that saw it end with back-to-back jumpers from Hanna Cavinder followed by Haley Cavinder getting to the bucket. Fresno State left the door open for CSU, missing three free throws in the final minute, but a stop on a 3-point attempt from Tori Williams and two free throws from Gamez iced the game at 78-74. Fresno State held CSU to just 2-of-11 shooting during the final three-plus minutes of the contest.
Team Notes
Haley Cavinder – 19 points, 13 rebounds, 3 assists
Head Coach Jaime White
Opening Statement….
"Better tonight I thought. First quarter was not bad, second quarter we were searching for something. Late in the second quarter we switched up our defense a little bit and I thought that was much better. They can shoot and we were constantly having to get out to shooters which was pulling our defense and opening some holes. Kudos to them, I thought they played pretty good both nights, shot really well. We played better tonight, shot better tonight, did better from the 3, had an urgency to attack, think we got to the free throw line, hit some free throws, we had two players with double-doubles and that is what you have to do to beat good teams. Excited about our players ability to transition into some different things. Keely Brown coming off the bench for us was great and Kendyll's first start was great. I am really excited about what we can do over the next couple of days and get ready for our next games."
On halftime adjustments….
"Our stops create transition, more momentum on the offensive end. The focus was to go over a couple details on our defense and shifted a couple players and we really bought into it. Our press looked better, we were trapping, getting more turnovers and that turned to transition, got our players confidence and energy up. Again it is figuring out how to play in front of not a lot of people, figuring how to get that energy, but tonight I thought our kids had a determination to win."
On the quick turnaround after last night's game…
"I have to give a lot of credit to our assistant coaches, they were in early and watching the film and breaking it down so we had a couple of adjustments which were great. It was simple enough that you could do it within hours and am really proud of our kids. It is so hard physically to be able to come back and our starting five logged a lot of minutes both nights, but still played with tenacity and urgency. That second night we are going to need to have more effort from the bench, more input, more production and I thought we did that. I also thought Kendyll coming in helped with speed and length, just excited and we are still finding out what our team can do."
Sophomore guard Haley Cavinder
On how the defense carried the team in the second half…
"I think we made some adjustments going into the second half doing the 3-2 defense that allowed us to match up with more of the shooters on their team which allowed us to get out and run in transition which we do best. In order to win games we have to get defensive stops, we knew going out into the second half we needed to focus on the defensive end and that will create our offense."
On playing the same opponent in back-to-back games…
"It was different, I would say going into it, we played the tournament back-to-back-to-back games, three games in a row. It is definitely fatigue and we knew in the fourth quarter yesterday we were tied with them with four minutes to go in the fourth quarter and the same thing happened today. We knew if we got stops on the defensive end and stayed composed out there, we could pull it out and that resulted in a win."
Senior guard Aly Gamez
On the effort tonight…
"Last night, I did not feel like I gave my very best effort so tonight I wanted to make sure I came in and gave it everything I had and I think doing the little things matters and it really goes a long way and it may not show up on the stat sheet, but it definitely contributes to winning."
On looking forward to the next game…
"Every game is important and we know that, but we realize we have a lot to work on and we know that these non-conference games matter to work out the kinks so that when conference play does start again we are ready."
Up Next
Fresno State is scheduled to host St. Mary's on Dec. 11 at 5 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
Despite a 12-point difference from the 3-point line which saw the Rams hit at least 10 from deep for the second straight night (10-of-26), Fresno State countered by attacking the rim and getting to the free throw line. The 'Dogs finished the game 18-of-22 from the stripe compared to CSU's 4-of-4. Eleven of the Bulldogs' 18 makes came in the second half as they mounted their comeback.
Haley Cavinder and Aly Gamez each registered a double-double with Cavinder notching a team-high 19 points and 13 rebounds while Gamez closed the game picking up her 10th rebound and last two of her 10 points from the line with under 10 seconds to go to ice the game. Hanna Cavinder also tied her sister with 19 points and Maddi Utti chipped in 16.
Colorado State's Sydney Mech led all scorers with 24 points.
How It Happened
Fresno State was firing out the gates to, taking an early 8-2 lead but the Rams quickly struck back, scoring 13 unanswered while shooting 6-of-7 during the stretch and knocking down three 3's to force the 'Dogs into a timeout. Keely Brown, who had a season-high eight points, ended the run with a 3 from the top of the key. CSU answered, but trailing by seven, Fresno State closed the quarter with a 6-0 run to pull back within one at the end of the period at 18-17.
Mech put the Rams on her back in the second, helping build their lead back up to eight as she accounted for 11 of their 16 points through the opening six minutes. The Bulldogs managed to remain close with Haley Cavinder scoring eight in the quarter with the last three coming in the final 30 seconds to bring the 'Dogs within six at the half at 41-35.
Mech extended CSU's lead to 10 early in the third with a pair of buckets. The 'Dogs climbed back and leveled the game through a 12-2 three-minute stretch midway through the period with the Cavinders and Utti accounting for all 12 points. Utti then gave the Bulldogs their first lead since early in the second quarter with an and-1. CSU countered though with a 7-2 spurt to close the quarter and take a 58-54 lead. Mech then added a 3-pointer to open the scoring in the final frame to put the Rams up seven.
Trailing by four with 5:54 to play Utti started the comeback, knocking down her second 3-pointer of the night. That triggered another 12-2 run that saw it end with back-to-back jumpers from Hanna Cavinder followed by Haley Cavinder getting to the bucket. Fresno State left the door open for CSU, missing three free throws in the final minute, but a stop on a 3-point attempt from Tori Williams and two free throws from Gamez iced the game at 78-74. Fresno State held CSU to just 2-of-11 shooting during the final three-plus minutes of the contest.
Team Notes
- The last time two Bulldogs had double-doubles in the same game was Feb. 12, 2020 against San Jose State (Haley Cavinder and Maddi Utti).
- The 'Dogs improved to 10-1 since the start of the 2019-20 season when Gamez, Utti and the Cavinders each score at least 10 points.
- Fresno State is 2-0 this season when winning the rebounding battle and 0-2 when they don't.
- The Bulldogs improved to 4-1 in their last five home games against Colorado State.
Haley Cavinder – 19 points, 13 rebounds, 3 assists
- Led the team in scoring for the second time this season.
- Second double-double of the season and eighth of her career.
- Third game leading the 'Dogs in rebounding this year.
- Eighth career game with double-figure rebounding total.
- Led the team in scoring for the third time this season.
- First double-double of the season and third of her career.
- Fifth career game with double-figure rebounding total.
- Has reached double figures in all four games this season.
Head Coach Jaime White
Opening Statement….
"Better tonight I thought. First quarter was not bad, second quarter we were searching for something. Late in the second quarter we switched up our defense a little bit and I thought that was much better. They can shoot and we were constantly having to get out to shooters which was pulling our defense and opening some holes. Kudos to them, I thought they played pretty good both nights, shot really well. We played better tonight, shot better tonight, did better from the 3, had an urgency to attack, think we got to the free throw line, hit some free throws, we had two players with double-doubles and that is what you have to do to beat good teams. Excited about our players ability to transition into some different things. Keely Brown coming off the bench for us was great and Kendyll's first start was great. I am really excited about what we can do over the next couple of days and get ready for our next games."
On halftime adjustments….
"Our stops create transition, more momentum on the offensive end. The focus was to go over a couple details on our defense and shifted a couple players and we really bought into it. Our press looked better, we were trapping, getting more turnovers and that turned to transition, got our players confidence and energy up. Again it is figuring out how to play in front of not a lot of people, figuring how to get that energy, but tonight I thought our kids had a determination to win."
On the quick turnaround after last night's game…
"I have to give a lot of credit to our assistant coaches, they were in early and watching the film and breaking it down so we had a couple of adjustments which were great. It was simple enough that you could do it within hours and am really proud of our kids. It is so hard physically to be able to come back and our starting five logged a lot of minutes both nights, but still played with tenacity and urgency. That second night we are going to need to have more effort from the bench, more input, more production and I thought we did that. I also thought Kendyll coming in helped with speed and length, just excited and we are still finding out what our team can do."
Sophomore guard Haley Cavinder
On how the defense carried the team in the second half…
"I think we made some adjustments going into the second half doing the 3-2 defense that allowed us to match up with more of the shooters on their team which allowed us to get out and run in transition which we do best. In order to win games we have to get defensive stops, we knew going out into the second half we needed to focus on the defensive end and that will create our offense."
On playing the same opponent in back-to-back games…
"It was different, I would say going into it, we played the tournament back-to-back-to-back games, three games in a row. It is definitely fatigue and we knew in the fourth quarter yesterday we were tied with them with four minutes to go in the fourth quarter and the same thing happened today. We knew if we got stops on the defensive end and stayed composed out there, we could pull it out and that resulted in a win."
Senior guard Aly Gamez
On the effort tonight…
"Last night, I did not feel like I gave my very best effort so tonight I wanted to make sure I came in and gave it everything I had and I think doing the little things matters and it really goes a long way and it may not show up on the stat sheet, but it definitely contributes to winning."
On looking forward to the next game…
"Every game is important and we know that, but we realize we have a lot to work on and we know that these non-conference games matter to work out the kinks so that when conference play does start again we are ready."
Up Next
Fresno State is scheduled to host St. Mary's on Dec. 11 at 5 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
Players Mentioned
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