Tuesday, December 28
Fresno, CA
6 P.M. PT
Fresno State
4-8,0-1Mountain West
63
vs
73
UNLV
9-3,1-0Mountain West
1
2
3
4
F
UNLV
27
19
9
18
73
Fresno St.
19
12
20
12
63
'Dogs drop conference opener 73-63
12/28/2021 9:40:00 PM | Women's Basketball
FRESNO, Calif. – Following a big third quarter that saw Fresno State cut into a double-digit halftime deficit, UNLV opened the fourth with a 9-2 stretch to regain its separation and hand the Bulldogs a 73-63 defeat on Tuesday night at the Save Mart Center in their conference opener.
The 'Dogs were led by Haley Cavinder who recorded her fifth double-double of the season with 19 points and 12 rebounds. Yanina Todorova added 12 points on 5-of-8 shooting while also swiping four steals.
The Bulldogs were outrebounded by 13 leading to a 22-11 advantage for the Lady Rebels in second-chance points. UNLV's inside presence of Desi-Rae Young and Nneka Obiazor combined for 27 points and 18 rebounds.
How It Happened
Close early, UNLV ended the first quarter on an 11-2 stretch in the final minutes, knocking down three 3-pointers in run. The Lady Rebels led 27-19 after minutes following 5-of-8 shooting 3. UNLV built its lead up to 12 less than four minutes into the second. The 'Dogs got the game back into single digits with an 8-2 spurt behind a 3-pointer from Haley Cavinder and an and-one from Aunjona James but they were unable to sustain the run, missing their final seven shots of the half. UNLV capitalized with eight unanswered to take a 46-31 advantage at the break.
Despite the deficit, Fresno State locked in defensively in the third, holding the Lady Rebels to 4-of-16 in the period. The intensity on the defensive end turned into points on the offensive end as the 'Dogs opened up on the period on a 15-4 run with six points coming from Haley and three each from James and Wytalla Motta as the Bulldogs pulled to within four at 50-46 with 2:26. Trailing by seven with the quarter ticking down, Cavinder drained a 3-pointer at the buzzer to get the deficit back to four heading into the fourth. The triple moved her quarter total up to 11.
Unable to grab a lead late in the third, UNLV didn't allow the Bulldogs a chance at finding their first lead, holding the 'Dogs to just two made field goals on the their first 10 attempts of the fourth. The result was a 13-4 run by the Lady Rebels in four-plus minutes to regain their double-digit advantage as they led 68-55 with 5:46 to play. The Bulldogs were not able to get any closer than 10 the rest of the way.
Team Notes
The Bulldogs have a quick turnaround before facing San Diego State on Friday. Tipoff at the Save Mart Center is slated for 2 p.m. PT.
"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.
Follow us on:
Twitter: @FresnoStateWBB
Instagram: fresnostwbb
The 'Dogs were led by Haley Cavinder who recorded her fifth double-double of the season with 19 points and 12 rebounds. Yanina Todorova added 12 points on 5-of-8 shooting while also swiping four steals.
The Bulldogs were outrebounded by 13 leading to a 22-11 advantage for the Lady Rebels in second-chance points. UNLV's inside presence of Desi-Rae Young and Nneka Obiazor combined for 27 points and 18 rebounds.
How It Happened
Close early, UNLV ended the first quarter on an 11-2 stretch in the final minutes, knocking down three 3-pointers in run. The Lady Rebels led 27-19 after minutes following 5-of-8 shooting 3. UNLV built its lead up to 12 less than four minutes into the second. The 'Dogs got the game back into single digits with an 8-2 spurt behind a 3-pointer from Haley Cavinder and an and-one from Aunjona James but they were unable to sustain the run, missing their final seven shots of the half. UNLV capitalized with eight unanswered to take a 46-31 advantage at the break.
Despite the deficit, Fresno State locked in defensively in the third, holding the Lady Rebels to 4-of-16 in the period. The intensity on the defensive end turned into points on the offensive end as the 'Dogs opened up on the period on a 15-4 run with six points coming from Haley and three each from James and Wytalla Motta as the Bulldogs pulled to within four at 50-46 with 2:26. Trailing by seven with the quarter ticking down, Cavinder drained a 3-pointer at the buzzer to get the deficit back to four heading into the fourth. The triple moved her quarter total up to 11.
Unable to grab a lead late in the third, UNLV didn't allow the Bulldogs a chance at finding their first lead, holding the 'Dogs to just two made field goals on the their first 10 attempts of the fourth. The result was a 13-4 run by the Lady Rebels in four-plus minutes to regain their double-digit advantage as they led 68-55 with 5:46 to play. The Bulldogs were not able to get any closer than 10 the rest of the way.
Team Notes
- Fresno State dropped its second straight conference opener with both coming at home.
- It was the first time the 'Dogs have lost a Mountain West opener to UNLV (3-1).
- The Bulldogs allowed 10 made 3-pointers for the second time this season. UNLV has shot over 50 percent from 3 in their last two meetings with the 'Dogs.
- Fresno State was outrebounded by double digits for the third time on the year (43-30).
- Haley Cavinder recorded her second straight double-double, posting 19 points and 12 rebounds. It was her league-leading fifth of the season.
- Yanina Todorova reached double figures for the third time this year, scoring 12 points.
- Todorova also added four steals, the third time she's hit that total this year.
- Aunjona James totaled six points, two rebounds, two blocks and a steal just over nine minutes of action, her first since the final game of the 2020-21 season. It was her seventh career game since joining the Bulldogs during the fall of 2019.
- Hanna Cavinder dished out a season-high six assists.
- Wytalla Motta collected a season-high eight rebounds. The senior also tied a season best in steals with three.
The Bulldogs have a quick turnaround before facing San Diego State on Friday. Tipoff at the Save Mart Center is slated for 2 p.m. PT.
"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.
Follow us on:
Twitter: @FresnoStateWBB
Instagram: fresnostwbb
Team Stats
UNLV
Fresno
FG%
.500
.369
3FG%
.588
.381
FT%
.333
.778
RB
43
30
TO
17
10
STL
7
13
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
19
FGM
9
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Pts
12
FGM
5
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
9
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
1
Pts
6
FGM
2
3FGM
1
FTM
1
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's BasketballG
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