Fresno State Athletics
Friday, December 31
Fresno, CA
2 P.M. PT
Fresno State
5-8,1-1Mountain West
73
vs
67
San Diego State
6-7,0-2Mountain West
1
2
3
4
F
San Diego St.
10
20
14
23
67
Fresno St.
8
26
19
20
73
Short-handed 'Dogs prevail on NYE
12/31/2021 8:19:00 PM | Women's Basketball
FRESNO, Calif. – Despite having a depleted roster due to health and safety protocols, Fresno State pulled out a 73-67 win over San Diego State on New Year's Eve at the Save Mart Center. The Bulldogs played the game with seven available players.
Haley Cavinder poured in a game-high 24 points, scoring 20 of those in the second half. Hanna Cavinder broke out for 20 points. Wytalla Motta posted her second career double-double with a career-high 17 points to go with 12 rebounds.
How It Happened
With nearly half as many available players, and outshot by nearly eight percent from the field, Fresno State found a way to slow the game down early by getting to the charity stripe and saddling several Aztecs with foul trouble. Trailing throughout much of the first half, by as much as seven early in the second, the 'Dogs forced SDSU into 13 fouls and cashed them in for 11 points (11-of-13 FT). Wytalla Motta forced six of the fouls.
The final two of those 11 free throws came from Aunjona James who brought Fresno State level at 28-28 with 1:44 left in the half. The sophomore sank a corner 3 next time down the floor to give the 'Dogs their first lead of the opening 20 minutes. Hanna Cavinder dropped in a 3-pointer to beat the halftime buzzer and to give the 'Dogs a 34-30 edge at the break. With eight points from Hanna and five from James, the two sent the Bulldogs into the half on a 13-2 run during the final four-plus minutes.
While Hanna had 14 of her 20 points in the first, Haley took over in the second, scoring 20 points during the final 15 minutes of the game as the Mountain West's Preseason Player of the Year wouldn't be denied.
When the Aztecs leveled the game midway through the fourth at 57-all following a 13-4 run, Hanna got to the line to regain the lead for the 'Dogs with a pair. Haley then closed it out, scoring 10 of the team's final 14 points.
Team Notes
Head Coach Jaime White
On her team's defense...
"We pressed with seven kids tonight. I thought they did great in the press tonight and I think the pressure bothered [San Diego] a bit."
On having to play Aunjona James a career-high 29 minutes today after she saw her first action since March on Tuesday night...
"It is what it is. College athletics these days, these kids play a long time and they have the bumps and bruises and AJ's been coming back and doing well in practice so in these times, in situations like this, she was our only go to."
Haley Cavinder, Guard, Junior
On Wytalla Motta tonight...
"Wy's presence and just the energy she brings, her competitive edge is something we need and she stepped up big tonight on the boards and finishing down low and getting to the free throw line. I'm really proud of her."
On turning around a 1-for-8 first half to score 20 points in the second...
"Keep shooting til you get hot. I have confidence in myself. I think my team needed me to step up and I'm glad I got it going."
Up Next
Fresno State is scheduled to face San Jose State on Monday at 6 p.m. PT at The Provident Union Event Center.
"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
Haley Cavinder poured in a game-high 24 points, scoring 20 of those in the second half. Hanna Cavinder broke out for 20 points. Wytalla Motta posted her second career double-double with a career-high 17 points to go with 12 rebounds.
How It Happened
With nearly half as many available players, and outshot by nearly eight percent from the field, Fresno State found a way to slow the game down early by getting to the charity stripe and saddling several Aztecs with foul trouble. Trailing throughout much of the first half, by as much as seven early in the second, the 'Dogs forced SDSU into 13 fouls and cashed them in for 11 points (11-of-13 FT). Wytalla Motta forced six of the fouls.
The final two of those 11 free throws came from Aunjona James who brought Fresno State level at 28-28 with 1:44 left in the half. The sophomore sank a corner 3 next time down the floor to give the 'Dogs their first lead of the opening 20 minutes. Hanna Cavinder dropped in a 3-pointer to beat the halftime buzzer and to give the 'Dogs a 34-30 edge at the break. With eight points from Hanna and five from James, the two sent the Bulldogs into the half on a 13-2 run during the final four-plus minutes.
While Hanna had 14 of her 20 points in the first, Haley took over in the second, scoring 20 points during the final 15 minutes of the game as the Mountain West's Preseason Player of the Year wouldn't be denied.
When the Aztecs leveled the game midway through the fourth at 57-all following a 13-4 run, Hanna got to the line to regain the lead for the 'Dogs with a pair. Haley then closed it out, scoring 10 of the team's final 14 points.
Team Notes
- Fresno State has broken 70 points in all five wins this season.
- The Bulldogs moved to 12-3 against the Aztecs during the eight seasons.
- The Bulldogs went 24-of-31 at the line with a free throw percentage of 77.4, nine of which came from senior Wytalla Motta after the Bulldog drew a team-high 10 fouls on the Aztecs.
- Three 'Dogs scored in double digits with two recording a double-doubles: Haley Cavinder with 24 points and 11 rebounds and Wytalla Motta with 17 points and 12 rebounds. It was the first time since Dec. 4, 2020 that two Bulldogs have recorded double-doubles in the same game.
- Senior forward Wytalla Motta earned a new career high of 17 points.
- Motta also recorded her second career double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds.
- Haley Cavinder recorded her league-leading sixth double-double this season (16th career) with 24 points and 11 rebounds.
- Haley scored 20 of her points in the second half on 6-of-10 shooting, going 3-of-3 from 3 and 5-of-6 from the free throw line.
- Haley missed her first free throw of the season, snapping the longest streak without a miss this year in the NCAA. Her streak ended at 39.
- Hanna Cavinder reached 20 points for the second time this season (20th career).
- Hanna registered at least three steals for the third time this year.
- Sophomore Aunjona James tied her career high of eight points and three rebounds while playing a career-high 28 minutes.
- James earned her first career start.
- Freshman Sydney Dethman played a season-high 16 minutes off the bench, sinking her second 3-pointer of the season.
Head Coach Jaime White
On her team's defense...
"We pressed with seven kids tonight. I thought they did great in the press tonight and I think the pressure bothered [San Diego] a bit."
On having to play Aunjona James a career-high 29 minutes today after she saw her first action since March on Tuesday night...
"It is what it is. College athletics these days, these kids play a long time and they have the bumps and bruises and AJ's been coming back and doing well in practice so in these times, in situations like this, she was our only go to."
Haley Cavinder, Guard, Junior
On Wytalla Motta tonight...
"Wy's presence and just the energy she brings, her competitive edge is something we need and she stepped up big tonight on the boards and finishing down low and getting to the free throw line. I'm really proud of her."
On turning around a 1-for-8 first half to score 20 points in the second...
"Keep shooting til you get hot. I have confidence in myself. I think my team needed me to step up and I'm glad I got it going."
Up Next
Fresno State is scheduled to face San Jose State on Monday at 6 p.m. PT at The Provident Union Event Center.
"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
SDSU
Fresno
FG%
.452
.375
3FG%
.240
.412
FT%
.625
.774
RB
35
39
TO
12
8
STL
2
5
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
24
FGM
7
3FGM
3
FTM
7
Pts
20
FGM
7
3FGM
2
FTM
4
Pts
17
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
9
Pts
8
FGM
2
3FGM
1
FTM
3
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's BasketballF
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