Fresno State Athletics
Saturday, January 23
Fresno, CA
2 P.M. PT
Fresno State
8-5 (6-2MW)
67
vs
64
Boise State
8-3 (5-3MW)
1
2
3
4
F
Boise State
19
15
14
16
64
Fresno State
18
16
19
14
67
Photo by: Samuel Marshall
Bulldogs complete sweep over Broncos with 67-64 nailbiter
1/23/2021 8:26:00 PM | Women's Basketball
FRESNO, Calif. – Following a lopsided result in Game 1 on Thursday, Game 2 between Fresno State and Boise State wasn't expected to be anything close to the same on Saturday at the Save Mart Center.
And it wasn't.
With nine lead changes and the two teams trading buckets in the final minutes, a 3-pointer from the wing by Haley Cavinder with 30 seconds remaining was the difference in the Bulldogs' 67-64 win to sweep the Broncos and move into a three-way tie atop the Mountain West standings.
Cavinder finished the day with 18 points, and team-highs of eight rebounds, five assists and three steals. Two days after finishing with just five points, Maddi Utti dropped a team-high 20 points on an efficient 9-of-12 from the field.
Mallory McGwire led the Broncos with a game-high 26 points.
Key Stat
Fresno State held Boise State to 34.3 percent from the field during the second half after the Broncos shot 42.9 percent in the first. Following Anna Ostile's 3-pointer with 5:52 remaining in the third quarter that gave the Broncos their largest lead of the game, the visitors shot just 2-of-15 (13.3%) during the next 10 minutes to allow the Bulldogs time to get back into the game and retake the lead.
How It Happened
The opening half was dictated by opposing runs that led to a nip-and-tuck first 20 minutes. Utti got the Bulldogs going early as they jumped out to a 9-2 advantage less than five minutes in. Fresno State maintained its lead until the Broncos countered with a 15-2 stretch that started late in the period and bled into the opening minutes of the second.
With six minutes remaining in the half, Utti once again got the 'Dogs going, scoring six points during a 10-0 to run to regain the lead. McGwire responded with back-back buckets, including 3-pointer at the top of the key. With the seconds ticking down, Haley Cavinder found Kendyll Kinzer in the left corner for an open 3 to knot the game up at 34-34 as time expired.
Unlike Thursday night when it was the Bulldogs opening up the game early in the third, it was the Broncos hitting the 'Dogs with a 10-2 spurt. But with 4:33 on the clock, Bree Delaney sparked the Bulldogs' offense with her fifth 3-pointer in the last two games. Fresno State rattled off a 15-3 run to close out the third and take a 53-48 lead after 30 minutes.
Two-and-a-half minutes into the fourth, Cavinder gave the 'Dogs their largest lead of the game at eight. The Broncos countered with eight unanswered, though, to level the contest with under four minutes to play. The two sides traded buckets on the next four possessions. Following a split at the line from Cavinder, Fresno State forced a rushed 3-point attempt from Jade Loville with the shot clock winding down. That set up Cavinder's moment. Slipping off a screen, Boise State's Abby Muse sagged back, leaving room for the 5-foot-6 point guard to launch a step-back 3 over the outstretched arm of the 6-foot-2 forward.
Leading by three in the final seconds, the 'Dogs came up with a stop on Loville in the paint that left the visitors without enough time to get another shot off.
Team Notes
Player Notes
Maddi Utti – 20 points, 4 rebounds
Head coach Jaime White
Opening statement
"A win is a win. Way more exciting than the other night. It was a great win the other night and to come off of that, we felt we had a lot of energy and excitement. We knew they were going to come with a little bit of a different game. We turned the ball over and that was the difference today. We didn't do as well off of the turnovers, they had 14, we just didn't score off of them. We didn't get as much output from our bench but we did have some important minutes from Bree Delaney and Keely Brown. The one thing that I knew would be different was Maddi and Haley would have a good game tonight. They both did and that really helped us."
On having a closer win…
"I thought we would have another possession. I was kind of surprised the game was over. I knew it would be different than the other night. When we have a game like we did, where everybody is knocking everything down and there is a lot of emotion and passion, I did think we would be coming down off of that. Plus, the ware and tear on our bodies. I think every game, we have to be ready for a late game situation. I get my mind and my heart set on that, so I don't disappoint myself."
On Bree Delaney's three after the third quarter…
"That was great. She had a lot of confidence coming in and we had a lot of confidence in her. We went with a small lineup tonight so we had a higher scoring ability out there. Bree hit her corner shot, which I think is her best shot."
On pulling off a win, even when everything isn't going right…
"It is what a team should be. Our top five are our top five for a reason and I thought they came to play tonight. They played together, played hard and played through a lot of adversity. That was nice to see. The game Thursday night, it was nice to see our bench do a great job. If we can continue to have that and trade off when we need to, we are going to be pretty hard to beat."
Haley Cavinder
On her last 3-pointer…
"I thought it was big. My teammates getting me the ball and then just stepping back and hitting it. I think it gave us a four-point lead with 30 seconds to go so that gave us some room to feel comfortable going into the defense."
On the team's energy after the game…
"I think we are feeling really good. Last year, we felt we had some unfinished business with them. Coming in this week, we were all really hyped and we didn't want to just win one game. We wanted to win two. We got it done. I am super proud of my teammates."
On coming back after a 35-point victory on Thursday…
"I think the Thursday-Saturday games are hard, but we know the second game is always different no matter what. We knew Boise was going to have a better game and we just needed to bring that same energy over from Thursday. We knew it was going to be a battle."
On going up against a physically bigger Boise State team…
"I think Boise is bigger than us. When our smaller guards got in there, they got swatted away. I think we just adjusted to the personnel of our opponent. We understand when to drive in, when to refuse and read the gaps. I think moving forward we will do a better job of that."
On the two wins…
"I think the closer one felt good because that game was very physical. We had to gut that one out and keep battling. It felt really good. The 35-point win wasn't too bad either though, but I think gutting it out and closing out on a good win with Boise feels really good."
Maddi Utti
On bouncing back after Thursday's game…
"I think on Thursday, we blew them out. I knew coming into today that they were going to come out with something different. I knew it was going to be a closer game so I needed to do what I had to do to help the team win. That's what I did to prepare myself. I knew I needed to be more aggressive and help the team win."
On a 35-point win versus a 3-point win…
"The 35-point games are always fun, but the 3-point game you're more tense. I like winning the closer games because it feels better. They're both a lot of fun. Winning is always fun."
On the team's confidence…
"We knew coming into this series and into New Mexico, it was going to be four big games for us. We are trying to prepare for those. We are feeling really good winning these two games. We knew they were going to be two of our toughest. Boise has always been a tough competitor, so winning these two gives us a lot of confidence going into New Mexico. We are feeling good. We know it isn't over and every team is going to give us their best game. We are ready."
On the team chemistry…
"We are still a young team. We had a lot of freshmen last year, and I think we are still growing and learning how to play together. I think it is good we are starting to get a flow going again. The whole COVID thing, and not practicing, might have had something to do with the hiccups but I think we are getting back in our groove and getting better every game."
On the most impressive thing she saw from her team this series…
"Sharing the ball and getting our subs in off the bench for good minutes. I thought that was really good and good to see them contribute. I thought Bree Delaney played really well these past two games, on the rebounds and on her shot. I think getting solid minutes from people who don't usually see a lot of minutes. Sharing the ball and getting people on the scoreboard was also really good."
Next Up
Fresno State will be on the road the next two weeks beginning with a neutral site two-game series against New Mexico in Canyon, Texas. Tipoff for Thursday's opener is slated 5 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
And it wasn't.
With nine lead changes and the two teams trading buckets in the final minutes, a 3-pointer from the wing by Haley Cavinder with 30 seconds remaining was the difference in the Bulldogs' 67-64 win to sweep the Broncos and move into a three-way tie atop the Mountain West standings.
Cavinder finished the day with 18 points, and team-highs of eight rebounds, five assists and three steals. Two days after finishing with just five points, Maddi Utti dropped a team-high 20 points on an efficient 9-of-12 from the field.
Mallory McGwire led the Broncos with a game-high 26 points.
Key Stat
Fresno State held Boise State to 34.3 percent from the field during the second half after the Broncos shot 42.9 percent in the first. Following Anna Ostile's 3-pointer with 5:52 remaining in the third quarter that gave the Broncos their largest lead of the game, the visitors shot just 2-of-15 (13.3%) during the next 10 minutes to allow the Bulldogs time to get back into the game and retake the lead.
How It Happened
The opening half was dictated by opposing runs that led to a nip-and-tuck first 20 minutes. Utti got the Bulldogs going early as they jumped out to a 9-2 advantage less than five minutes in. Fresno State maintained its lead until the Broncos countered with a 15-2 stretch that started late in the period and bled into the opening minutes of the second.
With six minutes remaining in the half, Utti once again got the 'Dogs going, scoring six points during a 10-0 to run to regain the lead. McGwire responded with back-back buckets, including 3-pointer at the top of the key. With the seconds ticking down, Haley Cavinder found Kendyll Kinzer in the left corner for an open 3 to knot the game up at 34-34 as time expired.
Unlike Thursday night when it was the Bulldogs opening up the game early in the third, it was the Broncos hitting the 'Dogs with a 10-2 spurt. But with 4:33 on the clock, Bree Delaney sparked the Bulldogs' offense with her fifth 3-pointer in the last two games. Fresno State rattled off a 15-3 run to close out the third and take a 53-48 lead after 30 minutes.
Two-and-a-half minutes into the fourth, Cavinder gave the 'Dogs their largest lead of the game at eight. The Broncos countered with eight unanswered, though, to level the contest with under four minutes to play. The two sides traded buckets on the next four possessions. Following a split at the line from Cavinder, Fresno State forced a rushed 3-point attempt from Jade Loville with the shot clock winding down. That set up Cavinder's moment. Slipping off a screen, Boise State's Abby Muse sagged back, leaving room for the 5-foot-6 point guard to launch a step-back 3 over the outstretched arm of the 6-foot-2 forward.
Leading by three in the final seconds, the 'Dogs came up with a stop on Loville in the paint that left the visitors without enough time to get another shot off.
Team Notes
- Fresno State moved into a three-way tie atop the league on percentage points with Colorado State (6-2) and New Mexico (3-1).
- It was the first time 2014 that Fresno State has swept a two-game regular season series against the Broncos.
- The Bulldogs became the first team since Colorado State in 2016 to had the Broncos a two-game regular season sweep.
- Fresno State has won its last five conference games after back-to-back sweeps.
- All eight of the Bulldogs' wins this season have come when shooting above 44 percent (8-1).
- The 10 steals gave the 'Dogs back-to-back games with double-digit steals totals, their first two of the season.
- Fresno State held Boise State to 18.8 percent shooting from 3, the Bulldogs' fourth straight game holding opponents to 20 percent or under from 3. That had only happened once during the previous nine games.
Player Notes
Maddi Utti – 20 points, 4 rebounds
- First game leading the Bulldogs in scoring.
- Second 20-point game of the season with both coming in wins.
- Shot 9-of-12 from the field. The 75-percent shooting was her highest of the season.
- Scored 11 of her 18 in the second half.
- Led the Bulldogs in rebounding for the sixth time this year.
- Second straight game with five assists, and fifth time this season with at least five.
- Fourth game this season with at least three steals.
Head coach Jaime White
Opening statement
"A win is a win. Way more exciting than the other night. It was a great win the other night and to come off of that, we felt we had a lot of energy and excitement. We knew they were going to come with a little bit of a different game. We turned the ball over and that was the difference today. We didn't do as well off of the turnovers, they had 14, we just didn't score off of them. We didn't get as much output from our bench but we did have some important minutes from Bree Delaney and Keely Brown. The one thing that I knew would be different was Maddi and Haley would have a good game tonight. They both did and that really helped us."
On having a closer win…
"I thought we would have another possession. I was kind of surprised the game was over. I knew it would be different than the other night. When we have a game like we did, where everybody is knocking everything down and there is a lot of emotion and passion, I did think we would be coming down off of that. Plus, the ware and tear on our bodies. I think every game, we have to be ready for a late game situation. I get my mind and my heart set on that, so I don't disappoint myself."
On Bree Delaney's three after the third quarter…
"That was great. She had a lot of confidence coming in and we had a lot of confidence in her. We went with a small lineup tonight so we had a higher scoring ability out there. Bree hit her corner shot, which I think is her best shot."
On pulling off a win, even when everything isn't going right…
"It is what a team should be. Our top five are our top five for a reason and I thought they came to play tonight. They played together, played hard and played through a lot of adversity. That was nice to see. The game Thursday night, it was nice to see our bench do a great job. If we can continue to have that and trade off when we need to, we are going to be pretty hard to beat."
Haley Cavinder
On her last 3-pointer…
"I thought it was big. My teammates getting me the ball and then just stepping back and hitting it. I think it gave us a four-point lead with 30 seconds to go so that gave us some room to feel comfortable going into the defense."
On the team's energy after the game…
"I think we are feeling really good. Last year, we felt we had some unfinished business with them. Coming in this week, we were all really hyped and we didn't want to just win one game. We wanted to win two. We got it done. I am super proud of my teammates."
On coming back after a 35-point victory on Thursday…
"I think the Thursday-Saturday games are hard, but we know the second game is always different no matter what. We knew Boise was going to have a better game and we just needed to bring that same energy over from Thursday. We knew it was going to be a battle."
On going up against a physically bigger Boise State team…
"I think Boise is bigger than us. When our smaller guards got in there, they got swatted away. I think we just adjusted to the personnel of our opponent. We understand when to drive in, when to refuse and read the gaps. I think moving forward we will do a better job of that."
On the two wins…
"I think the closer one felt good because that game was very physical. We had to gut that one out and keep battling. It felt really good. The 35-point win wasn't too bad either though, but I think gutting it out and closing out on a good win with Boise feels really good."
Maddi Utti
On bouncing back after Thursday's game…
"I think on Thursday, we blew them out. I knew coming into today that they were going to come out with something different. I knew it was going to be a closer game so I needed to do what I had to do to help the team win. That's what I did to prepare myself. I knew I needed to be more aggressive and help the team win."
On a 35-point win versus a 3-point win…
"The 35-point games are always fun, but the 3-point game you're more tense. I like winning the closer games because it feels better. They're both a lot of fun. Winning is always fun."
On the team's confidence…
"We knew coming into this series and into New Mexico, it was going to be four big games for us. We are trying to prepare for those. We are feeling really good winning these two games. We knew they were going to be two of our toughest. Boise has always been a tough competitor, so winning these two gives us a lot of confidence going into New Mexico. We are feeling good. We know it isn't over and every team is going to give us their best game. We are ready."
On the team chemistry…
"We are still a young team. We had a lot of freshmen last year, and I think we are still growing and learning how to play together. I think it is good we are starting to get a flow going again. The whole COVID thing, and not practicing, might have had something to do with the hiccups but I think we are getting back in our groove and getting better every game."
On the most impressive thing she saw from her team this series…
"Sharing the ball and getting our subs in off the bench for good minutes. I thought that was really good and good to see them contribute. I thought Bree Delaney played really well these past two games, on the rebounds and on her shot. I think getting solid minutes from people who don't usually see a lot of minutes. Sharing the ball and getting people on the scoreboard was also really good."
Next Up
Fresno State will be on the road the next two weeks beginning with a neutral site two-game series against New Mexico in Canyon, Texas. Tipoff for Thursday's opener is slated 5 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
BSU
FS
FG%
.386
.458
3FG%
.188
.294
FT%
.636
.615
RB
39
38
TO
14
19
STL
11
10
Game Leaders
Pts
20
FGM
9
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
18
FGM
7
3FGM
3
FTM
1
Pts
9
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's BasketballF
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