Fresno State Athletics
Tuesday, March 3
Las Vegas, Nev.
6 p.m. PT
Fresno State
25-6,16-2Mountain West
94
vs
68
#4 seed San Jose State
19-12,12-6Mountain West
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose St. | 11 | 17 | 17 | 23 | 68 |
| Fresno St. | 28 | 17 | 26 | 23 | 94 |
Photo by: Justin Tafoya/NCAA Photos
'Dogs advance to MW championship game with 94-68 rout of Spartans
3/3/2020 11:56:00 PM | Women's Basketball
LAS VEGAS – After playing two hotly contested games that went down to the wire during the regular season, Tuesday night was a different story when Fresno State and San Jose State for the third time in 2020. Behind a 20-2 run to end the first quarter, it was all but lights out for the Spartans as the Bulldogs shot well and locked down one of the league's top scoring offenses, advancing to Wednesday's Mountain West championship with a convincing 94-68 win at the Thomas & Mack Center.
The Bulldogs will meet three-time reigning tournament champions, and No. 2 seed, Boise State tomorrow night at 8 p.m. PT.
Like Monday night, Fresno State again got the bulk of its production from its quartet of Maddi Utti (22), Aly Gamez (22), Haley Cavinder (18) and Hanna Cavinder (14). The Bulldogs' fifth starter Wytalla Motta chipped in eight points in eight minutes.
While the Bulldogs shot 50 percent or higher in the first and fourth quarters, they worked through colder stretcher during the middle of the game by staying aggressive and forcing the Spartans to commit fouls. The 'Dogs shot a combined 21-of-27 from the free throw line during the second and third periods.
How It Happened
Haley Cavinder got the Bulldog offense started, knocking down a 3-pointer on the games' first possession. She then knocked down a second minutes later on her third attempt to give the 'Dogs an early 8-4 advantage. SJSU took its first lead with 6:11 on the clock after a 3-pointer from Fieme'a Hafoka. Tyra Whitehead then followed up with a layup. Fresno State then held the Spartans without a made field for the remainder of the quarter as the 'Dogs exploded, going on a 20-2 run to end the period and go up 17.
With 7:47 on the clock in the second Gamez sank a triple to put Fresno State up 35-17. But like San Jose State went cold in the first, so did the 'Dogs in the second. Fresno State missed its next eight shots before Haley got into the lane and hit a jumper to end the drought with 19 seconds left in the half, the Bulldogs managed to keep its lead by getting to the line. Fresno State shot 8-of-11 from the stripe during the period to maintain a 45-28 lead at the half after holding the league's top 3-point shooting team to 2-of-14 from beyond the arc.
Fresno State and its guard trio continued to stay aggressive in the third by attacking the basket and getting to the line. The Bulldogs shot 13-of-16 from the line with nine of those coming from the guards. The 'Dogs saw their lead rise into the 20's, and with back-to-back buckets from Utti in the final 67 second, Fresno State took a 71-45 advantage into the fourth.
Haley dropped in her fourth 3-pointer of the night to open up the fourth. That shot ignited a 13-3 run that saw the Bulldogs grab their largest lead of the night at 36, 84-48. The Spartans then hit their run with a flurry of 3's but the Bulldogs never allowed their lead to dip below 20 the remainder of the game.
Team Notes
Maddi Utti – 22 points, 15 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals
Fresno State will face Boise State in its first Mountain West Championship game since 2017 tomorrow at 8 p.m. PT at the Thomas & Mack Center. The Bulldogs and Broncos also squared off in that 2017 contest. Wednesday night's game is set to air on CBS Sports 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 Bulldogs will meet three-time reigning tournament champions, and No. 2 seed, Boise State tomorrow night at 8 p.m. PT.
Like Monday night, Fresno State again got the bulk of its production from its quartet of Maddi Utti (22), Aly Gamez (22), Haley Cavinder (18) and Hanna Cavinder (14). The Bulldogs' fifth starter Wytalla Motta chipped in eight points in eight minutes.
While the Bulldogs shot 50 percent or higher in the first and fourth quarters, they worked through colder stretcher during the middle of the game by staying aggressive and forcing the Spartans to commit fouls. The 'Dogs shot a combined 21-of-27 from the free throw line during the second and third periods.
How It Happened
Haley Cavinder got the Bulldog offense started, knocking down a 3-pointer on the games' first possession. She then knocked down a second minutes later on her third attempt to give the 'Dogs an early 8-4 advantage. SJSU took its first lead with 6:11 on the clock after a 3-pointer from Fieme'a Hafoka. Tyra Whitehead then followed up with a layup. Fresno State then held the Spartans without a made field for the remainder of the quarter as the 'Dogs exploded, going on a 20-2 run to end the period and go up 17.
With 7:47 on the clock in the second Gamez sank a triple to put Fresno State up 35-17. But like San Jose State went cold in the first, so did the 'Dogs in the second. Fresno State missed its next eight shots before Haley got into the lane and hit a jumper to end the drought with 19 seconds left in the half, the Bulldogs managed to keep its lead by getting to the line. Fresno State shot 8-of-11 from the stripe during the period to maintain a 45-28 lead at the half after holding the league's top 3-point shooting team to 2-of-14 from beyond the arc.
Fresno State and its guard trio continued to stay aggressive in the third by attacking the basket and getting to the line. The Bulldogs shot 13-of-16 from the line with nine of those coming from the guards. The 'Dogs saw their lead rise into the 20's, and with back-to-back buckets from Utti in the final 67 second, Fresno State took a 71-45 advantage into the fourth.
Haley dropped in her fourth 3-pointer of the night to open up the fourth. That shot ignited a 13-3 run that saw the Bulldogs grab their largest lead of the night at 36, 84-48. The Spartans then hit their run with a flurry of 3's but the Bulldogs never allowed their lead to dip below 20 the remainder of the game.
Team Notes
- Fresno State will face No. 2 seed Boise State in tomorrow night's championship game. It is the Bulldogs fifth appearance in the MW championship game in their eight seasons in the conference (2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2020).
- Fresno State is 2-2 in championship games, winning in its first two appearances.
- Fresno State's 94 points is the most against a Division I opponent this season. It is the third time the 'Dogs have scored north of 90.
- With 22 points from Maddi Utti and Aly Gamez, the Bulldogs had two players score 20-plus points for the first time since the last time they played San Jose State on Feb. 12.
- Fresno State grabbed at least 50 rebounds in a game for the fourth time this season (4-0). The 'Dogs have recorded at least 50 in two of their three games with the Spartans.
- The Bulldogs recorded at least 20 assists in game for the seventh time this season (7-0), last dishing at least 20 against the Spartans on Feb. 12 (21).
Maddi Utti – 22 points, 15 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals
- Ninth double-double of the season.
- Moved into a tie for fourth on the Fresno State all-time double-double list with Simone Srubek at 21.
- Tied career high with six assists.
- Scored 11 points in the first quarter, fifth time scoring double figures in a quarter.
- Second 20-point game of the season
- Led the team with four 3-pointers.
- Fifth game with at least seven assists.
Fresno State will face Boise State in its first Mountain West Championship game since 2017 tomorrow at 8 p.m. PT at the Thomas & Mack Center. The Bulldogs and Broncos also squared off in that 2017 contest. Wednesday night's game is set to air on CBS Sports 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
SJSU
Fresno
FG%
.364
.433
3FG%
.345
.360
FT%
.667
.794
RB
38
50
TO
11
8
STL
4
5
Game Leaders
Pts
22
FGM
6
3FGM
1
FTM
9
Pts
22
FGM
6
3FGM
3
FTM
7
Pts
18
FGM
6
3FGM
4
FTM
2
Pts
14
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's BasketballF
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