Balanced attack leads to 77-64 win

Saturday, December 11

Bakersfield, CA

1 P.M. PT

Fresno State

3-6,0-0Mountain West

CSU Bakersfield

1-7,0-0Big West

Fresno St.

CSU Bakersfield

Photo by: CARY EDMONDSON - FRESNO STATE BRAND STRATEGY AND MARKETING

Balanced attack leads to 77-64 win

12/11/2021 9:25:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

By: Josh Mitchell / Assistant Director of Strategic Communications

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – Behind all five starters reaching double figures, Fresno State defeated CSU Bakersfield on Saturday afternoon, 77-64, at the Icardo Center. It was only the second time in Head Coach Jaime White's Bulldog tenure that all five starters scored 10 or more points in the same game.

Haley Cavinder led all scorers with 20 points to go along with seven assists. In her first start, freshman Tamia Stricklin poured in a season-high 17 points, knocking down 4-of-5 from 3. Hanna Cavinder added 15 points and a season-high nine rebounds. Wytalla Motta and Yanina Todorova chipped in 13 and 10, respectively.

How It Happened
Following a slow start that saw the Bulldogs fall behind 7-0, Tamia Stricklin shot the Bulldogs back into the game with back-to-back 3-pointers. The 'Dogs shot just 4-of-12 in the period and trailed 18-11 after 10 minutes.

Fresno State began to find its rhythm midway through the second. A 3-pointer from Hanna Cavinder was followed by a pair of layups from Wytalla Motta that brought the Bulldogs level at 26-all with just under four minutes before halftime. The 'Dogs closed the period on a 9-4 stretch to take a 35-33 lead as Haley Cavinder banked in a floater at the buzzer. Scoring two points in the opening quarter, the Cavinder twins combined for 16.

Back and forth throughout the first five minutes on the third, Fresno State took the lead for good behind a 9-2 run that started with Yanina Todorova converting three at the line after being fouled in the corner before the media timeout. The senior sank a 3-pointer a minute later after Stricklin dropped in her third of the game.

Leading 54-51 with less than 20 seconds to go in the third, a step back jumper from Hanna just before the buzzer started a 14-2 run that gave the 'Dogs their biggest lead of the game at 68-53 with 6:18 on the clock.

Team Notes

Fresno State snapped its five-game skid.
The Bulldogs had all five starters reach double figures for the first time since Dec. 10, 2016 (at Pacific).
Fresno State shot 50 percent from the field for the first time this season (27-of-54).
The 'Dogs shot a 47.1 percent from 3 (8-of-17), their second-highest percentage of the year.
Fresno State's 16 assists were its most since 19 in the season opener at Utah Valley.
The 'Dogs had single-digit turnovers for the second time this season (8).

Player Notes

Haley Cavinder recorded her sixth 20-point game of the season on 8-of-14 shooting. It was her third straight game with at least 20 points.
Haley dished out a game-high seven assists.
Tamia Stricklin scored a season-high 17 points, and had season-best four assists, in her first career start.
Stricklin shot 4-of-5 from 3.
Hanna Cavinder tied her career high in rebounding with nine.
Hanna reached double figures for the ninth straight game, scoring 15 points.
Wytalla Motta tied her career high with 13 points. It was the second time in the last three games that Motta has scored 13.
Yanina Todorova scored 10 points, her second double-figure game of the year.

Up Next
The Bulldogs return home on Dec. 18 to face UC Merced at 2 p.m. PT at the Save Mart Center. Two days later, they host Portland at noon in their final nonconference game.

"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 visit bulldogfoundation.org.

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