Fresno State Athletics
Thursday, January 14
Fresno, CA
6 P.M. PT
Fresno State
5-5 (3-2MW)
78
vs
70
Nevada
5-5 (1-4MW)
1
2
3
4
F
Nevada
14
17
14
25
70
Fresno State
16
19
22
21
78
Photo by: Samuel Marshall
Haley Cavinder's 30-point effort propels 'Dogs to 78-70 win over Nevada
1/14/2021 11:01:00 PM | Women's Basketball
FRESNO, Calif. – Behind an explosive 15-point third quarter from Haley Cavinder, a close game at the half opened up to a double-digit lead as Fresno State secured Game 1 against Nevada, 78-70, on Thursday night at the Save Mart Center. The league's top scorer finished with a season-high 30 points with 23 of those coming during final 20 minutes.
With Cavinder's 30, the Bulldogs' scoring trio of Haley and Hanna Cavinder and Maddi Utti totaled 65 of the team's 78 points, the second straight conference game the three have combined for 65. Hanna dropped in 17 points while Maddi Utti posted her second consecutive double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Fresno State needed every bit of their production as four Nevada starters finished in double figures led by 18 from Nia Alexander.
Key Stat
With 15 points in the third quarter, Haley Cavinder outscored the Wolf Pack, 15-14. The Bulldogs outscored Nevada by eight in the period. Cavinder went on to score 18 points during the first 11 minutes of the second half which helped Fresno State get out to a 15-point lead.
How It Happened
While Fresno State missed on its first four attempts of the game, they found their rhythm three minutes in, hitting the Wolf Pack with a 14-0 run. Nevada countered, though, pulling back to within two at the end first.
Utti increased the Bulldogs' lead to eight early in the second with back-to-back 3-pointers but Nevada climbed back, taking the lead midway through the period. An 11-2 stretch with eight unanswered gave the visitors a 29-26 lead with 4:49 on the clock. Like the first quarter when they trailed, the 'Dogs had a counter punch, scoring the final seven points of the half to go up 35-31 at the break.
Haley Cavinder then stole the show in the third, going 5-of-7 from the field and 6-of-6 from the charity stripe. To close out the period, the sophomore sized up her defender in the final seconds and dropped in a 3-pointer at the buzzer from 25-feet to give the 'Dogs a 57-45 lead.
With eight consecutive points from the Cavinders early in the fourth, the Bulldogs took their largest lead of the game at 19 with 7:42 remaining. While the deficit appeared to be insurmountable, Nevada didn't go quietly, outscoring the Bulldogs 20-6 during the ensuing seven minutes to pull within five. The 'Dogs connected on five of their final six attempts from the line to seal the eight-point win.
Team Notes
Haley Cavinder - 30 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals
Head Coach Jaime White
Opening Statement....
"I was happy with our rebounding. I thought we needed to get into the 40 column so that was good. I thought we were ready to play, we have had some good days of practice, a little bit mad about our Bakersfield game and we were ready to go. We turned the ball over a little bit too much, but I thought Nevada did a good job, very physical rebounders, great rebounders and they made us turn the ball over a little bit so that was a bummer. Our free throws were better tonight which is good, shooting 45 percent from the field and 46 percent from the three makes everyone happy. I thought our third quarter was great. I thought we had some good play off the bench from Maria, Bree and Genna."
On changes made from Sunday's loss to tonight's win....
"We went back to the basics, fundamentals, obviously the rebounding, making sure we are focused on boxing out, defensively being able to make sure we are changing our defense like we do and we knew Nevada could hit the pullup and we knew they were good rebounders and sometimes the best thing to do after a bad game is identify some things for ourselves and focus on the future."
Sophomore guard Haley Cavinder
On what was working well tonight...
"I think in the first half getting to the paint, they were really coming in really hard so I just tried to adjust at halftime and be confident when shooting my outside shots and once I got that going just getting to the free throw line as well."
On Nevada fighting back in the fourth quarter...
"I think we have to maintain that lead and keep that as an advantage and it was good to get a close win, a tough conference win out of the way and just to close it out even though it was a little sloppy in the fourth quarter."
Senior forward Maddi Utti
On what was working well in the first half...
"I think that when our guards drive into the paint they pack the paint and are very physical in there so kick outs were open and our guards are very good shooters as well and you have to guard them out there."
On Haley Cavinder's 30-point performance...
"Haley always steps up in those types of moments when we need her the most and she is good under pressure and she knocks down those hard shots. We know that when the clock or the shot clock is winding down then we try and get her the ball and she usually delivers so that is always good."
Next Up
The two-game series with Nevada concludes on Saturday afternoon at the Save Mart Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. PT 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
With Cavinder's 30, the Bulldogs' scoring trio of Haley and Hanna Cavinder and Maddi Utti totaled 65 of the team's 78 points, the second straight conference game the three have combined for 65. Hanna dropped in 17 points while Maddi Utti posted her second consecutive double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Fresno State needed every bit of their production as four Nevada starters finished in double figures led by 18 from Nia Alexander.
Key Stat
With 15 points in the third quarter, Haley Cavinder outscored the Wolf Pack, 15-14. The Bulldogs outscored Nevada by eight in the period. Cavinder went on to score 18 points during the first 11 minutes of the second half which helped Fresno State get out to a 15-point lead.
How It Happened
While Fresno State missed on its first four attempts of the game, they found their rhythm three minutes in, hitting the Wolf Pack with a 14-0 run. Nevada countered, though, pulling back to within two at the end first.
Utti increased the Bulldogs' lead to eight early in the second with back-to-back 3-pointers but Nevada climbed back, taking the lead midway through the period. An 11-2 stretch with eight unanswered gave the visitors a 29-26 lead with 4:49 on the clock. Like the first quarter when they trailed, the 'Dogs had a counter punch, scoring the final seven points of the half to go up 35-31 at the break.
Haley Cavinder then stole the show in the third, going 5-of-7 from the field and 6-of-6 from the charity stripe. To close out the period, the sophomore sized up her defender in the final seconds and dropped in a 3-pointer at the buzzer from 25-feet to give the 'Dogs a 57-45 lead.
With eight consecutive points from the Cavinders early in the fourth, the Bulldogs took their largest lead of the game at 19 with 7:42 remaining. While the deficit appeared to be insurmountable, Nevada didn't go quietly, outscoring the Bulldogs 20-6 during the ensuing seven minutes to pull within five. The 'Dogs connected on five of their final six attempts from the line to seal the eight-point win.
Team Notes
- Fresno State moved to 5-5 overall, 3-2 in Mountain West play.
- It was the 'Dogs third-straight win over Nevada.
- The Bulldogs shot 7-of-15 from the 3-point line. They are 4-0 this season when shooting above 40 percent from 3.
- Fresno State shot 45 percent from the field. The Bulldogs have shot over 44 percent in each of their five wins.
- Fresno State moved to 3-0 this season when outrebounding its opponent after holding a differential of plus-two on Thursday (41-39).
- The 'Dogs shot a season-best 85 percent from the free throw line (17-of-20).
- It was the second Mountain West game in a row in which the Cavinder twins and Utti combined for 65 points.
Haley Cavinder - 30 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals
- Led the Bulldogs in scoring for the sixth time this year.
- Second career 30-point game.
- Third 30-point game in the Mountain West this season.
- Second straight double-double.
- 23rd career double-double.
- Matched season-high with 11 rebounds.
- Third consecutive game with double-digit rebounds.
- Has reached double-figures in all 10 games this season.
- Fifth game with at least three rebounds and three assists.
Head Coach Jaime White
Opening Statement....
"I was happy with our rebounding. I thought we needed to get into the 40 column so that was good. I thought we were ready to play, we have had some good days of practice, a little bit mad about our Bakersfield game and we were ready to go. We turned the ball over a little bit too much, but I thought Nevada did a good job, very physical rebounders, great rebounders and they made us turn the ball over a little bit so that was a bummer. Our free throws were better tonight which is good, shooting 45 percent from the field and 46 percent from the three makes everyone happy. I thought our third quarter was great. I thought we had some good play off the bench from Maria, Bree and Genna."
On changes made from Sunday's loss to tonight's win....
"We went back to the basics, fundamentals, obviously the rebounding, making sure we are focused on boxing out, defensively being able to make sure we are changing our defense like we do and we knew Nevada could hit the pullup and we knew they were good rebounders and sometimes the best thing to do after a bad game is identify some things for ourselves and focus on the future."
Sophomore guard Haley Cavinder
On what was working well tonight...
"I think in the first half getting to the paint, they were really coming in really hard so I just tried to adjust at halftime and be confident when shooting my outside shots and once I got that going just getting to the free throw line as well."
On Nevada fighting back in the fourth quarter...
"I think we have to maintain that lead and keep that as an advantage and it was good to get a close win, a tough conference win out of the way and just to close it out even though it was a little sloppy in the fourth quarter."
Senior forward Maddi Utti
On what was working well in the first half...
"I think that when our guards drive into the paint they pack the paint and are very physical in there so kick outs were open and our guards are very good shooters as well and you have to guard them out there."
On Haley Cavinder's 30-point performance...
"Haley always steps up in those types of moments when we need her the most and she is good under pressure and she knocks down those hard shots. We know that when the clock or the shot clock is winding down then we try and get her the ball and she usually delivers so that is always good."
Next Up
The two-game series with Nevada concludes on Saturday afternoon at the Save Mart Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. PT 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
NEV
FS
FG%
.420
.450
3FG%
.200
.467
FT%
.500
.850
RB
39
41
TO
14
19
STL
13
9
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
30
FGM
8
3FGM
3
FTM
11
Pts
18
FGM
7
3FGM
2
FTM
2
Pts
17
FGM
6
3FGM
1
FTM
4
Pts
3
FGM
1
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballF
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