Fresno State Athletics
Wednesday, February 10
Fresno, CA
6 P.M. PT
Fresno State
12-6 (10-3MW)
76
vs
58
Air Force
4-12 (2-9MW)
1
2
3
4
F
Air Force
8
23
19
8
58
Fresno State
24
20
17
15
76
Photo by: Samuel Marshall
'Dogs take Game 1 versus Falcons, 76-58
2/10/2021 11:19:00 PM | Women's Basketball
FRESNO, Calif. – While Wednesday night's series opener was tightly contested throughout the middle of the game, Fresno State started and finished on high notes, outscoring Air Force by a combined 23 points during the first and fourth quarters to capture Game 1 against the Falcons at the Save Mart Center, 76-58.
Fresno State was led by Hanna Cavinder who dropped her seventh 20-point game of the year with 24 on 55.6 percent shooting. Haley Cavinder added 15 points and Aly Gamez had 14. The Bulldogs nearly outscored the Falcons combining for 53 points.
Air Force was paced by Briana Autrey's 16 points.
Key Stat
Against the most bothersome defensive team in the league which came in averaging a conference-best 11.8 steals per game, the Falcons had just two on the night and turned the Bulldogs over only nine times. Fresno State totaled nine steals for the game and forced 17 turnovers to the tune of 22 points.
How It Happened
Fresno State came out aggressive early jumping out to a 9-0 lead that forced a timeout from the Falcons. The Bulldogs continued to apply pressure throughout the quarter, forcing 10 turnovers and allowing just eight points as they took a 24-8 advantage into the second period. The Bulldogs extended their lead to as much as 20 late in the first half after a 6-0 spurt from Hanna Cavinder as she ran her first-half total up in 17 points in 17 minutes. The Falcons though cut their deficit to 13 at the break through a 9-2 stretch during the final minutes.
Air Force started the third quarter much like the 'Dogs started the game, outscoring Fresno State 12-4 during the early minutes to pull back within five at 48-43. A Riley Snyder triple punctuated a 7-0 spurt that forced a timeout from the Fresno State bench. Two minutes after the timeout, and still leading by five, the 'Dogs scored six unanswered in just over 90 seconds widen the gap.
Snyder then struck again with a deep shot but the Bulldogs countered with a layup from Hanna and Gamez's fourth 3-pointer of the night to take a 61-48 advantage late in the period.
With the lead remaining in double digits early in the fourth, the Bulldogs put the game away through a 9-0 run midway through the quarter that saw Hanna Cavinder bury a triple from the corner that put the 'Dogs back up 20 with only four minutes to play.
Team Notes
Hanna Cavinder – 24 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds, 2 steals
Head Coach Jaime White
Opening Statement
"I thought we had a really good start, that was ideal for us to start the way we did. We made them turn the ball over. We got down in transition, I thought we did all the things we worked on correctly. Air Force is a good team and they transitioned, changed up their defense a little bit and that bothered us. Going into halftime, we readjusted, I thought our third quarter was not great and we kind of let them get back into it. I am proud of our team. We have to play against a feisty Air Force that switches it up and does some things we don't always see, physical and aggressive and I thought we did a good job mainly taking care of the ball. We only had nine turnovers, that was great especially for a real physical team like they are. Hanna Cavinder had a great game right out of the gates she did a good job. It was nice to see some of our players come, Brooke Walling and Aly (Gamez)'s stat line was great and really did a good job and was really efficient tonight."
On preparing for back-to-back games after a four-game road trip…
"We have tried to remind the team hey we have done the back-to-back before and we came back and won. We have to look at what we did well, what we can do better and we have a short time. They love that though, they don't love the no rest part, but they do love that they get to play tomorrow. It is a crazy thing because the day in between kind of prolongs it especially when you are playing the same team. I think our energy and health and emotions and feeling good is the most important and get ready to go tomorrow."
Senior guard Aly Gamez
On tonight's performance…
"I think we had our moments. We came out strong, that is what we wanted to do, we did not want to let them start the game hot, we wanted to be the one's to do that. Our defense at times got a little lackadaisical, but we got into man defense and amped it up. Overall, I thought we had a good game today."
On competing against Air Force…
"I think the same way every game. We know Air Force every year, despite their record, we know they come in and give everyone a run for their money. They fight to the very end and they could be down 20 and they are going to make a run."
On coming down the stretch of the season…
"I think it is mentally tough, but also physically we take a beating. I think it is about regrouping, coming together, everyone is stepping up and everyone is coming together as a collective for that one goal."
Up Next
Fresno State and Air Force will return to the Save Mart Center tomorrow for Game 2 of the series. Tipoff is slated for 6 p.m. PT and will stream live 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
Fresno State was led by Hanna Cavinder who dropped her seventh 20-point game of the year with 24 on 55.6 percent shooting. Haley Cavinder added 15 points and Aly Gamez had 14. The Bulldogs nearly outscored the Falcons combining for 53 points.
Air Force was paced by Briana Autrey's 16 points.
Key Stat
Against the most bothersome defensive team in the league which came in averaging a conference-best 11.8 steals per game, the Falcons had just two on the night and turned the Bulldogs over only nine times. Fresno State totaled nine steals for the game and forced 17 turnovers to the tune of 22 points.
How It Happened
Fresno State came out aggressive early jumping out to a 9-0 lead that forced a timeout from the Falcons. The Bulldogs continued to apply pressure throughout the quarter, forcing 10 turnovers and allowing just eight points as they took a 24-8 advantage into the second period. The Bulldogs extended their lead to as much as 20 late in the first half after a 6-0 spurt from Hanna Cavinder as she ran her first-half total up in 17 points in 17 minutes. The Falcons though cut their deficit to 13 at the break through a 9-2 stretch during the final minutes.
Air Force started the third quarter much like the 'Dogs started the game, outscoring Fresno State 12-4 during the early minutes to pull back within five at 48-43. A Riley Snyder triple punctuated a 7-0 spurt that forced a timeout from the Fresno State bench. Two minutes after the timeout, and still leading by five, the 'Dogs scored six unanswered in just over 90 seconds widen the gap.
Snyder then struck again with a deep shot but the Bulldogs countered with a layup from Hanna and Gamez's fourth 3-pointer of the night to take a 61-48 advantage late in the period.
With the lead remaining in double digits early in the fourth, the Bulldogs put the game away through a 9-0 run midway through the quarter that saw Hanna Cavinder bury a triple from the corner that put the 'Dogs back up 20 with only four minutes to play.
Team Notes
- Fresno State moved to 16-1 all-time against Air Force and improved to 8-0 at home against the Falcons.
- The 18-point win was Bulldogs' largest margin of victory in the series since Jan. 11, 2017 (63-40).
- Fresno State scored less than 80 points for the first time since Jan. 23 versus Boise State (67-64).
- The Bulldogs moved to 9-3 on the year when outscoring their opponents' off turnovers after holding a decided 22-9 advantage on Wednesday night.
- Against the No. 1 team in the conference in steals, Fresno State committed only nine turnovers, its fourth game this season with single-digit turnovers.
Hanna Cavinder – 24 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds, 2 steals
- Recorded her seventh 20-point game of the season and 16th of her career.
- The 20-point game was her second in a row after 21 points on Feb. 6 at Utah State.
- Continued her streak of scoring in double figures in every game this season.
- Tied for a team-high four assists.
- Posted eighth double-digit game of the season.
- Knocked down a season-best four 3-pointers on five attempts.
Head Coach Jaime White
Opening Statement
"I thought we had a really good start, that was ideal for us to start the way we did. We made them turn the ball over. We got down in transition, I thought we did all the things we worked on correctly. Air Force is a good team and they transitioned, changed up their defense a little bit and that bothered us. Going into halftime, we readjusted, I thought our third quarter was not great and we kind of let them get back into it. I am proud of our team. We have to play against a feisty Air Force that switches it up and does some things we don't always see, physical and aggressive and I thought we did a good job mainly taking care of the ball. We only had nine turnovers, that was great especially for a real physical team like they are. Hanna Cavinder had a great game right out of the gates she did a good job. It was nice to see some of our players come, Brooke Walling and Aly (Gamez)'s stat line was great and really did a good job and was really efficient tonight."
On preparing for back-to-back games after a four-game road trip…
"We have tried to remind the team hey we have done the back-to-back before and we came back and won. We have to look at what we did well, what we can do better and we have a short time. They love that though, they don't love the no rest part, but they do love that they get to play tomorrow. It is a crazy thing because the day in between kind of prolongs it especially when you are playing the same team. I think our energy and health and emotions and feeling good is the most important and get ready to go tomorrow."
Senior guard Aly Gamez
On tonight's performance…
"I think we had our moments. We came out strong, that is what we wanted to do, we did not want to let them start the game hot, we wanted to be the one's to do that. Our defense at times got a little lackadaisical, but we got into man defense and amped it up. Overall, I thought we had a good game today."
On competing against Air Force…
"I think the same way every game. We know Air Force every year, despite their record, we know they come in and give everyone a run for their money. They fight to the very end and they could be down 20 and they are going to make a run."
On coming down the stretch of the season…
"I think it is mentally tough, but also physically we take a beating. I think it is about regrouping, coming together, everyone is stepping up and everyone is coming together as a collective for that one goal."
Up Next
Fresno State and Air Force will return to the Save Mart Center tomorrow for Game 2 of the series. Tipoff is slated for 6 p.m. PT and will stream live 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
AF
FS
FG%
.421
.492
3FG%
.333
.389
FT%
.600
.643
RB
35
31
TO
17
9
STL
2
9
Game Leaders
Pts
24
FGM
10
3FGM
1
FTM
3
Pts
15
FGM
6
3FGM
1
FTM
2
Pts
7
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's Basketball
C
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