Fresno State Athletics
Saturday, February 8
Fresno, CA
2:00 PM PT
Fresno State
20-4 (13-0MW)
72
vs
58
UNLV
12-11 (8-4MW)
1
2
3
4
F
UNLV
10
13
21
14
58
Fresno State
17
21
21
13
72
Photo by: Keith Kountz
Bulldog defense shuts down UNLV in 72-58 win
2/8/2020 7:24:00 PM | Women's Basketball
FRESNO, Calif. – Behind runs of nine or more unanswered in each of the first three quarters, Fresno State created separation that kept UNLV at bay on Saturday afternoon en route to a 72-58 win in front of the largest crowd of the season at the Save Mart Center. The Bulldogs' defense stifled the Lady Rebels throughout much of the day, holding them to 34.4 percent shooting (21-of-61), Fresno State's second-lowest percentage for a conference opponent this season, and second straight under 35 percent.
For the second game in a row, the Bulldogs were led by a pair of 20-point scorers in Hanna Cavinder (24) and Maddi Utti (20). Cavinder also dished out six assists and grabbed five rebounds. Utti added eight rebounds and three steals to her line. Aly Gamez also finished in double figures with 14 points.
With the win and a San Jose State loss, Fresno State took a 3.5-game lead in the Mountain West standings with five games to play. The 'Dogs will be off during one of the final six days of games. The Bulldogs can clinch a share of the regular-season title on Wednesday with a win against the Spartans.
How It Happened
Trailing by five through four minutes in the first period, Fresno State hit a 14-0 run with Hanna (6), Utti (5), and Gamez (3) scoring all of the points. The run gave the Bulldogs a 17-10 advantage after 10 minutes as the defense held the Lady Rebels to just 3-of-17 shooting (17.6%). Fresno State's shooting continued to pick up in the second despite UNLV pulling with four with 4:51 on the clock. From that point, the trio took over again, closing the period with a 13-2 stretch that saw Utti score seven of her first-half 20 points.
Holding a 38-23 lead at the half, UNLV chipped away early. Nine unanswered points in a two-minute stretch brought the Lady Rebels back to within seven with under five to play in the period. It took the Bulldogs just over a minute to reclaim their double-digit lead as a pair of free throws from Hanna were followed by a 3-pointer from Haley Cavinder. Then back-to-back missed jumpers from UNLV turned in run outs for both Gamez and Hanna as the Bulldogs lead moved back up to 16. Leading 59-44 after three, the 'Dogs put the game away at the charity stripe, knocking down 11-of-14 in the final 10 minutes from the line.
Team Notes
Hanna Cavinder – 24 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds
Head Coach Jaime White
On this win against UNLV…
"We knew this was going to be a tough game, and I think UNLV is very physical and athletic and talented and probably a little taller in some areas, but I thought our kids did a good job. To outrebound a team like that was fantastic. I think that was our focus from the get-go, and we had rebounding from just about everybody on the team. Shared the ball well, 17 assists. I thought every quarter we were solid and we never really gave up too much and continued to keep the lead."
On remaining undefeated against Mountain West opponents…
"Yeah, I mean, let's just keep winning. Winning is happiness, right? It's really not affected me at all, I just feel that every game brings a new game plan and our kids are really buying into that and just focused on what's right in front of us, and I don't think there's any anxiety on it at all. I feel like our kids have responded well, and it's funny because I feel like every night we have different kids step up and also with our main core being consistent. So when that happens you don't think much further than that.
You just get out there, play hard, and hope the W comes."
Maddi Utti, junior forward
On the win and success of the team…
"I think we've definitely grown to work together really well and we have a lot of different people that step up every game. It's just been really fun to play with this group of girls and work hard every day and compete."
Hanna Cavinder, freshman guard
On Wendy Martell's jersey unveiling…
"I thought it was really inspirational, just having her come and talk with us and then she also ate with us before the game. Just hearing somebody who has already gone through their career and be able to get where she is, it's just really inspirational."
Up Next
Fresno State faces San Jose State on Wednesday night with chance to clinch a share of the Mountain West regular-season championship. The Bulldogs will don their green uniforms for Pride of the Valley Night. All fans who wear green will receive free admission. Fans can also purchase two tickets for $9 in the center court sections. Tipoff at the Save Mart Center is slated for 6 p.m. PT. The game will broadcast locally on KAIL-TV/My Central Valley and 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
For the second game in a row, the Bulldogs were led by a pair of 20-point scorers in Hanna Cavinder (24) and Maddi Utti (20). Cavinder also dished out six assists and grabbed five rebounds. Utti added eight rebounds and three steals to her line. Aly Gamez also finished in double figures with 14 points.
With the win and a San Jose State loss, Fresno State took a 3.5-game lead in the Mountain West standings with five games to play. The 'Dogs will be off during one of the final six days of games. The Bulldogs can clinch a share of the regular-season title on Wednesday with a win against the Spartans.
How It Happened
Trailing by five through four minutes in the first period, Fresno State hit a 14-0 run with Hanna (6), Utti (5), and Gamez (3) scoring all of the points. The run gave the Bulldogs a 17-10 advantage after 10 minutes as the defense held the Lady Rebels to just 3-of-17 shooting (17.6%). Fresno State's shooting continued to pick up in the second despite UNLV pulling with four with 4:51 on the clock. From that point, the trio took over again, closing the period with a 13-2 stretch that saw Utti score seven of her first-half 20 points.
Holding a 38-23 lead at the half, UNLV chipped away early. Nine unanswered points in a two-minute stretch brought the Lady Rebels back to within seven with under five to play in the period. It took the Bulldogs just over a minute to reclaim their double-digit lead as a pair of free throws from Hanna were followed by a 3-pointer from Haley Cavinder. Then back-to-back missed jumpers from UNLV turned in run outs for both Gamez and Hanna as the Bulldogs lead moved back up to 16. Leading 59-44 after three, the 'Dogs put the game away at the charity stripe, knocking down 11-of-14 in the final 10 minutes from the line.
Team Notes
- Fresno State moved to 13-0 in the Mountain West, the longest such streak in the conference since Colorado State finished 18-0 in 2016.
- The 13 games is the Bulldogs' second-longest unbeaten streak to open up a conference season.
- Fresno State's 12-game winning streak is tied for the third-longest in program history.
- Fresno State won its fifth game of the season when making four or less 3-pointers.
- The 'Dogs outrebounded UNLV after the Lady Rebels held the advantage in their first meeting in Las Vegas.
- Saturday was the sixth time this season that two Bulldogs have scored 20 or more points in the same game. The 'Dogs are unbeaten when that happens.
Hanna Cavinder – 24 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds
- First 20-point game since Jan. 18.
- Seventh 20-point game of the season.
- Sixth game with at least six assists.
- Shot 8-of-14 from the field, 7-of-8 from the free-throw line.
- Eighth 20-point game of the season.
- Scored all 20 points on 8-of-12 shooting in the first half.
- 10th game with at least three assists.
Head Coach Jaime White
On this win against UNLV…
"We knew this was going to be a tough game, and I think UNLV is very physical and athletic and talented and probably a little taller in some areas, but I thought our kids did a good job. To outrebound a team like that was fantastic. I think that was our focus from the get-go, and we had rebounding from just about everybody on the team. Shared the ball well, 17 assists. I thought every quarter we were solid and we never really gave up too much and continued to keep the lead."
On remaining undefeated against Mountain West opponents…
"Yeah, I mean, let's just keep winning. Winning is happiness, right? It's really not affected me at all, I just feel that every game brings a new game plan and our kids are really buying into that and just focused on what's right in front of us, and I don't think there's any anxiety on it at all. I feel like our kids have responded well, and it's funny because I feel like every night we have different kids step up and also with our main core being consistent. So when that happens you don't think much further than that.
You just get out there, play hard, and hope the W comes."
Maddi Utti, junior forward
On the win and success of the team…
"I think we've definitely grown to work together really well and we have a lot of different people that step up every game. It's just been really fun to play with this group of girls and work hard every day and compete."
Hanna Cavinder, freshman guard
On Wendy Martell's jersey unveiling…
"I thought it was really inspirational, just having her come and talk with us and then she also ate with us before the game. Just hearing somebody who has already gone through their career and be able to get where she is, it's just really inspirational."
Up Next
Fresno State faces San Jose State on Wednesday night with chance to clinch a share of the Mountain West regular-season championship. The Bulldogs will don their green uniforms for Pride of the Valley Night. All fans who wear green will receive free admission. Fans can also purchase two tickets for $9 in the center court sections. Tipoff at the Save Mart Center is slated for 6 p.m. PT. The game will broadcast locally on KAIL-TV/My Central Valley and 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
UNLV
FS
FG%
.344
.407
3FG%
.125
.182
FT%
.682
.833
RB
36
42
TO
16
15
STL
9
6
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
24
FGM
8
3FGM
1
FTM
7
Pts
20
FGM
8
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Pts
8
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballF
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