Fresno State Athletics
Monday, March 2
Las Vegas, Nev.
12 p.m. PT
Fresno State
24-6,16-2Mountain West
75
vs
71
Nevada
15-16,7-11Mountain West
1
2
3
4
F
Nevada
13
16
19
23
71
Fresno St.
18
16
19
22
75
Photo by: Tim Nwachukwu/NCAA Photos
Bulldogs hold-off Nevada in MW Quarterfinals, 75-71
3/2/2020 6:22:00 PM | Women's Basketball
LAS VEGAS – Behind a game-high 26 points from Mountain West Freshman of the Year Haley Cavinder, Fresno State topped Nevada for the second time in 10 days, 75-71, on Monday afternoon in the quarterfinals of the Mountain West tournament at the Thomas & Mack Center. The Bulldogs will face San Jose State tomorrow in the semifinals at 6 p.m. PT.
Despite the close win, Fresno State led for more than 35 minutes with its smallest lead in the second half standing at three. The 'Dogs led by as much as 11 late in the third quarter.
The Bulldogs' quartet of Haley (26), Hanna Cavinder (16), Aly Gamez (15) and Maddi Utti (12) combined for 69 of the team's 75 points. As a team, Fresno State shot just 4.9 percent better from the field but held a decisive 19-6 advantage in points off turnovers.
How It Happened
Fresno State started slow, missing its first three attempts of the day. The Bulldogs quickly heated up though, connecting on six of their next seven shots to take a 13-9 lead. The first six of those came from the Cavinders. With under 90 seconds to go, Haley dropped in a 3-pointer and a bucket from Gamez gave the 'Dogs their largest lead of the period at 18-11.
With the Bulldogs leading 27-19 with 5:17 on the clock in the second, Nevada clawed back to within one through a 7-0 run with five straight points coming at the line. Haley ended the drought for Fresno, dropping in a 3-pointer with 2:09 to go in the half. The Bulldogs took a 34-29 lead into the break.
Fresno State built its lead up to double digits with a 7-2 spurt during the first two minutes of the second half. Nevada answered though with five in the next in minute. The 'Dogs were again able to create the separation they were looking for in the period, scoring six unanswered in a minute to take a 51-40 advantage. The double-digit lead was short-lived as Nevada's Da'Ja Hamilton sank back-to-back 3's.
The Wolf Pack pulled to within three early in the fourth but as was the story of the game the Bulldogs were able to push their lead back up. This time it came from Utti who scored four quick points with just under five minutes to play to give Fresno State a 63-54 lead. But again, a pair of 3-pointers from Nevada brought the Wolf Pack back. Holding a three-point lead with less than 90 seconds to play, Haley drained a step back 3 from the top of the key to put the 'Dogs up 68-62. Fresno State converted on 5-of-6 at the line down the stretch to keep Nevada at bay.
Team Notes
Haley Cavinder – 26 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals
Jaime White, Fresno State Head Coach
Opening statement...
"I thought, I honestly thought the first half was pretty good to get out of there with the lead. They made a little push at the first half, but our kids played tough. We kept answering. And didn't feel like we rebounded as well but we tied them in rebounds. I thought we grinded it out. Obviously Haley had a great game. She was able to score, especially in the first half; we really needed that. We scored a lot in the paint. I was happy with that. Just one of those games, kind of that first game in the tournament, always get the jitters out. And Nevada had a great win last night. So they were ready to go. I thought we kind of -- we kind of braved the storm and finished strong."
On playing again in just over 24 hours...
It's less time than we're used to, but we'll do the exact same thing. Just probably shorten it up a little bit. We're going to play a good team, whether it's UNLV or San Jose. And we've had great games with both those teams. I do think there is somewhat of an advantage that we have beaten both teams. So we have that confidence going in. But we've had really good close games with both of them. So I feel like just getting this first game under our belt kind of calmed everybody down. And now we know what it feels like and get out there and just play."
On Brooke Walling's minutes against Nevada's size...
"Nevada has great post players. I think Imani had a great game last night. I don't know what she got tonight. She still did a good job, but we had to have a bigger presence in there to rebound and to contest. And I thought Brooke did a good job with that. Also she's quicker at times to move six to eight feet and we need that in the zone."
Hanna Cavinder, Freshman Guard
On what she and Haley saw during the game to allow them to score...
"I think we just took what the defense gave us. And I think our teammates did a really good job of just setting the screens and getting us open and working the ball and reversing it."
On playing against physical teams...
"I just try to be as physical with them or try to finish around the rim differently, so that I know I won't get blocked. But if they're going to be really physical, you know they're either going to give a pull-up or give something to you. And I think we just have to do a better job finishing even if there's a lot of physicality going on."
Haley Cavinder, Freshman Guard
On what she and Hanna saw during the game to allow them to score...
"They were taking away my left-hand drives, so I was trying to penetrate to the right. And just taking advantage of what they were going to give up something for us, so we just hit the shots that they were giving up to us."
On playing against physical teams...
"Just boxing out, getting the rebound no matter if they're bigger or taller. I think that we don't really get scared. We just want to come out and just get the win. No matter what it is, no matter what it takes, that's what our whole team goes on. And I think that's what we did today."
Up Next
Fresno State will square-off with San Jose State tomorrow in the semifinals at 6 p.m. PT. It will be the third meeting between the two teams this season with Fresno State winning the first two in tightly contested games.
"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 the close win, Fresno State led for more than 35 minutes with its smallest lead in the second half standing at three. The 'Dogs led by as much as 11 late in the third quarter.
The Bulldogs' quartet of Haley (26), Hanna Cavinder (16), Aly Gamez (15) and Maddi Utti (12) combined for 69 of the team's 75 points. As a team, Fresno State shot just 4.9 percent better from the field but held a decisive 19-6 advantage in points off turnovers.
How It Happened
Fresno State started slow, missing its first three attempts of the day. The Bulldogs quickly heated up though, connecting on six of their next seven shots to take a 13-9 lead. The first six of those came from the Cavinders. With under 90 seconds to go, Haley dropped in a 3-pointer and a bucket from Gamez gave the 'Dogs their largest lead of the period at 18-11.
With the Bulldogs leading 27-19 with 5:17 on the clock in the second, Nevada clawed back to within one through a 7-0 run with five straight points coming at the line. Haley ended the drought for Fresno, dropping in a 3-pointer with 2:09 to go in the half. The Bulldogs took a 34-29 lead into the break.
Fresno State built its lead up to double digits with a 7-2 spurt during the first two minutes of the second half. Nevada answered though with five in the next in minute. The 'Dogs were again able to create the separation they were looking for in the period, scoring six unanswered in a minute to take a 51-40 advantage. The double-digit lead was short-lived as Nevada's Da'Ja Hamilton sank back-to-back 3's.
The Wolf Pack pulled to within three early in the fourth but as was the story of the game the Bulldogs were able to push their lead back up. This time it came from Utti who scored four quick points with just under five minutes to play to give Fresno State a 63-54 lead. But again, a pair of 3-pointers from Nevada brought the Wolf Pack back. Holding a three-point lead with less than 90 seconds to play, Haley drained a step back 3 from the top of the key to put the 'Dogs up 68-62. Fresno State converted on 5-of-6 at the line down the stretch to keep Nevada at bay.
Team Notes
- Fresno State moved to 14-5 all-time in the Mountain West tournament.
- The Bulldogs have advanced to the semifinals in six of the last seven tournaments.
- Fresno State moved to 20-0 when scoring at least 70 points.
- The 'Dogs are 17-0 when leading at the half.
- Fresno State's 24th win this season is the most under Jaime White during her tenure with the Bulldogs. It passed the 23, which she had during her first season (2014-15).
Haley Cavinder – 26 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals
- Scored game-high 26 points.
- 11th 20-point scoring game.
- Made Fresno State's only four 3-pointers of the game.
- Moved back ahead of twin sister Hanna for the most points in season by a freshman at Fresno State with 476 (Hanna at 471).
- Scored 10 of her 16 in the second half.
- 25th double-figure scoring game.
- 16th double figure scoring game of the season.
- 25th double-figure scoring game of the season.
Jaime White, Fresno State Head Coach
Opening statement...
"I thought, I honestly thought the first half was pretty good to get out of there with the lead. They made a little push at the first half, but our kids played tough. We kept answering. And didn't feel like we rebounded as well but we tied them in rebounds. I thought we grinded it out. Obviously Haley had a great game. She was able to score, especially in the first half; we really needed that. We scored a lot in the paint. I was happy with that. Just one of those games, kind of that first game in the tournament, always get the jitters out. And Nevada had a great win last night. So they were ready to go. I thought we kind of -- we kind of braved the storm and finished strong."
On playing again in just over 24 hours...
It's less time than we're used to, but we'll do the exact same thing. Just probably shorten it up a little bit. We're going to play a good team, whether it's UNLV or San Jose. And we've had great games with both those teams. I do think there is somewhat of an advantage that we have beaten both teams. So we have that confidence going in. But we've had really good close games with both of them. So I feel like just getting this first game under our belt kind of calmed everybody down. And now we know what it feels like and get out there and just play."
On Brooke Walling's minutes against Nevada's size...
"Nevada has great post players. I think Imani had a great game last night. I don't know what she got tonight. She still did a good job, but we had to have a bigger presence in there to rebound and to contest. And I thought Brooke did a good job with that. Also she's quicker at times to move six to eight feet and we need that in the zone."
Hanna Cavinder, Freshman Guard
On what she and Haley saw during the game to allow them to score...
"I think we just took what the defense gave us. And I think our teammates did a really good job of just setting the screens and getting us open and working the ball and reversing it."
On playing against physical teams...
"I just try to be as physical with them or try to finish around the rim differently, so that I know I won't get blocked. But if they're going to be really physical, you know they're either going to give a pull-up or give something to you. And I think we just have to do a better job finishing even if there's a lot of physicality going on."
Haley Cavinder, Freshman Guard
On what she and Hanna saw during the game to allow them to score...
"They were taking away my left-hand drives, so I was trying to penetrate to the right. And just taking advantage of what they were going to give up something for us, so we just hit the shots that they were giving up to us."
On playing against physical teams...
"Just boxing out, getting the rebound no matter if they're bigger or taller. I think that we don't really get scared. We just want to come out and just get the win. No matter what it is, no matter what it takes, that's what our whole team goes on. And I think that's what we did today."
Up Next
Fresno State will square-off with San Jose State tomorrow in the semifinals at 6 p.m. PT. It will be the third meeting between the two teams this season with Fresno State winning the first two in tightly contested games.
"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
Nevada
Fresno
FG%
.435
.484
3FG%
.438
.333
FT%
.625
.600
RB
38
38
TO
14
14
STL
8
10
Game Leaders
Pts
26
FGM
11
3FGM
4
FTM
0
Pts
16
FGM
7
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
12
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's Basketball
C
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