Fresno State Athletics
Thursday, February 11
Fresno, CA
6 P.M. PT
Fresno State
13-6 (11-3MW)
62
vs
54
Air Force
4-12 (2-9MW)
1
2
3
4
F
Air Force
26
10
6
12
54
Fresno State
16
10
25
11
62
Photo by: CARY EDMONDSON - FRESNO STATE
'Dogs grind out 62-54 win to secure sweep of Air Force
2/11/2021 11:14:00 PM | Women's Basketball
FRESNO, Calif. – Trailing by 10 at the half, Fresno State was forced to rely on its defense Thursday night to secure its fourth series sweep in its last five, holding Air Force to 18 points in the second half en route to its 62-54 win at the Save Mart Center.
The Bulldogs clamped down in the third quarter, allowing just six points on only eight field goal attempts. The Bulldogs in turn took 17 attempts, converting on 10 to outscore the Falcons 26-5 in the period and flip the game.
Haley Cavinder led the 'Dogs with 22 points, with 16 of those coming in the second half, and 11 in the third period alone to outscore the Falcons by five. The sophomore also added a team-high seven rebounds and three assists. Hanna Cavinder joined her in double figures with 17 points.
For the second night in a row, Briana Autrey paced Air Force, tonight scoring a game-high 24 points in 25 minutes, missing a portion of the game due to foul trouble.
Key Stat
Following a steal by Aly Gamez in the opening seconds of the second half, the Bulldog guard forced Autrey into a foul, her third of the game that sent the Falcon point guard to the bench. She did not return to the court until the final seconds of the period which saw Fresno State force nine turnovers in her absence which resulted in 14 points. The Bulldogs forced 16 turnovers during the final 20 minutes of the game which was turned into 19 points.
How It Happened
In a reversal of fortunes, Air Force started out the game much like the Bulldogs did Wednesday night. A 15-2 stretch during the opening period gave the Falcons a 22-9 advantage with 3:16 on the clock. Air Force led by 10 after one, shooting 71.4 percent from the field. While the Falcons maintained that advantage through the second quarter after neither side could get any offense going, with both sides shooting well below 25 percent from the field in the period, Fresno State found its footing in the second half.
Despite scoring a season-low 26 points in the first half, the 'Dogs turned up its intensity in the opening minutes of the third quarter. Ignited by six straight points from Wytalla Motta who grabbed two offensive rebounds, two steals and drew two Air Force offensive fouls in the first six minutes, the 'Dogs grabbed the lead through a 12-1 stretch. Haley Cavinder provided four points during that run and added seven more in the period, including a 3-pointer with less than a minute left in the quarter that gave Fresno State a 52-41 lead. With the defense on a high, the Bulldogs allowed only 12 points in the fourth and saw the Falcons get no closer than seven in the final period.
Team Notes
Haley Cavinder – 22 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals
Head Coach Jaime White
Opening Statement…
"We started completely opposite of yesterday. I knew it was going to be tough to have the back-to-back, how would we respond especially after playing great, really good at points yesterday so you saw what happened. We did not defend very well early and we got behind in the first quarter, played with them in the second quarter. I didn't think we turned them over or transitioned as well as we did yesterday so the halftime speech was, we need to get stops and get into transition. I thought in the third quarter our defense was really good. I thought Haley, Hanna and Aly, our key guards really put some good pressure on them, caused some turnovers. Wytalla (Motta) was great, I think we forced 16 turnovers in the second half so that really helped us get back to where we needed to be. We just had to grind it out, not a pretty game, but a good one to be down against a physical, aggressive team. I did think Autrey, number one for Air Force, getting in foul trouble allowed us to pressure a little bit more, get to the rim a little bit. I thought we got to the free throw line for all 50 percent of our free throws, it is what it is, we have been on a long stretch right here and our kids need a break so we are excited that we get a break this weekend."
On playing back-to-back games preparing for the MW Tournament…
"We have to make sure we are physically ready and if we are not physically ready, we have to make sure we are clicked into the mental element and grind through it. It is nice we are able to have this back-to-back and the San Diego State back-to-back leading into the tournament, I think that is a good thing for us to experience going into the tournament where we are going to have to play three games in a row. We did talk about that and I think the players understand and know that."
Sophomore guard Haley Cavinder
On the third quarter surge…
"I think getting defensive stops and taking what the defense gave me, I think personally we have to keep getting aggressive and taking the shots that you know you can make so just continue to shoot."
On confidence gained by being able to overcome a deficit…
"I think it goes to show how special our team is and the energy we bring no matter if we are down by 15 or 20, just always having confidence and energy and knowing that we can go on a run in the second half and playing as a collective. I think we brought the energy the second half and that is really hard to stop when you are bringing it on the offensive and defensive end."
Senior forward Wytalla Motta
On doing the dirty work that may go unappreciated…
"I have been practicing like that everyday and like Coach says, if you practice hard, you play hard. What I do in practice, I do in the game too."
On bringing instant energy on the defensive end…
"I think our defense is really good. Most of the games that we have won everything is about the defense. I think we really work well together and we really work hard in practice to get a good defense and some days your shots are not going in, but everyday is defense day."
Up Next
Fresno State will not be back on the court until Feb. 20 when the 'Dogs head to San Diego State. Tipoff for both contests are slated for 1 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 call 559-278-7160.
Follow us on:
Twitter: @FresnoStateWBB
Instagram: fresnostwbb
Facebook: FresnoStateAthletics
The Bulldogs clamped down in the third quarter, allowing just six points on only eight field goal attempts. The Bulldogs in turn took 17 attempts, converting on 10 to outscore the Falcons 26-5 in the period and flip the game.
Haley Cavinder led the 'Dogs with 22 points, with 16 of those coming in the second half, and 11 in the third period alone to outscore the Falcons by five. The sophomore also added a team-high seven rebounds and three assists. Hanna Cavinder joined her in double figures with 17 points.
For the second night in a row, Briana Autrey paced Air Force, tonight scoring a game-high 24 points in 25 minutes, missing a portion of the game due to foul trouble.
Key Stat
Following a steal by Aly Gamez in the opening seconds of the second half, the Bulldog guard forced Autrey into a foul, her third of the game that sent the Falcon point guard to the bench. She did not return to the court until the final seconds of the period which saw Fresno State force nine turnovers in her absence which resulted in 14 points. The Bulldogs forced 16 turnovers during the final 20 minutes of the game which was turned into 19 points.
How It Happened
In a reversal of fortunes, Air Force started out the game much like the Bulldogs did Wednesday night. A 15-2 stretch during the opening period gave the Falcons a 22-9 advantage with 3:16 on the clock. Air Force led by 10 after one, shooting 71.4 percent from the field. While the Falcons maintained that advantage through the second quarter after neither side could get any offense going, with both sides shooting well below 25 percent from the field in the period, Fresno State found its footing in the second half.
Despite scoring a season-low 26 points in the first half, the 'Dogs turned up its intensity in the opening minutes of the third quarter. Ignited by six straight points from Wytalla Motta who grabbed two offensive rebounds, two steals and drew two Air Force offensive fouls in the first six minutes, the 'Dogs grabbed the lead through a 12-1 stretch. Haley Cavinder provided four points during that run and added seven more in the period, including a 3-pointer with less than a minute left in the quarter that gave Fresno State a 52-41 lead. With the defense on a high, the Bulldogs allowed only 12 points in the fourth and saw the Falcons get no closer than seven in the final period.
Team Notes
- The 62 points was tied for the lowest the Bulldogs have scored in a game this season. Fresno State also scored 62 in its season-opening loss to West Virginia.
- Thursday marked Fresno State's first win this season when shooting below 44 percent from the field (40.7%).
- For only the second time this season, the Bulldogs forced 20-plus turnovers in a game.
- Fresno State's 13 steals tied a season high, matching its total from its first matchup with Boise State.
Haley Cavinder – 22 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals
- Recorded eighth 20-point game of the season.
- Scored 16 of her 22 points during the second half.
- Recorded 17th double figure scoring game of the year.
Head Coach Jaime White
Opening Statement…
"We started completely opposite of yesterday. I knew it was going to be tough to have the back-to-back, how would we respond especially after playing great, really good at points yesterday so you saw what happened. We did not defend very well early and we got behind in the first quarter, played with them in the second quarter. I didn't think we turned them over or transitioned as well as we did yesterday so the halftime speech was, we need to get stops and get into transition. I thought in the third quarter our defense was really good. I thought Haley, Hanna and Aly, our key guards really put some good pressure on them, caused some turnovers. Wytalla (Motta) was great, I think we forced 16 turnovers in the second half so that really helped us get back to where we needed to be. We just had to grind it out, not a pretty game, but a good one to be down against a physical, aggressive team. I did think Autrey, number one for Air Force, getting in foul trouble allowed us to pressure a little bit more, get to the rim a little bit. I thought we got to the free throw line for all 50 percent of our free throws, it is what it is, we have been on a long stretch right here and our kids need a break so we are excited that we get a break this weekend."
On playing back-to-back games preparing for the MW Tournament…
"We have to make sure we are physically ready and if we are not physically ready, we have to make sure we are clicked into the mental element and grind through it. It is nice we are able to have this back-to-back and the San Diego State back-to-back leading into the tournament, I think that is a good thing for us to experience going into the tournament where we are going to have to play three games in a row. We did talk about that and I think the players understand and know that."
Sophomore guard Haley Cavinder
On the third quarter surge…
"I think getting defensive stops and taking what the defense gave me, I think personally we have to keep getting aggressive and taking the shots that you know you can make so just continue to shoot."
On confidence gained by being able to overcome a deficit…
"I think it goes to show how special our team is and the energy we bring no matter if we are down by 15 or 20, just always having confidence and energy and knowing that we can go on a run in the second half and playing as a collective. I think we brought the energy the second half and that is really hard to stop when you are bringing it on the offensive and defensive end."
Senior forward Wytalla Motta
On doing the dirty work that may go unappreciated…
"I have been practicing like that everyday and like Coach says, if you practice hard, you play hard. What I do in practice, I do in the game too."
On bringing instant energy on the defensive end…
"I think our defense is really good. Most of the games that we have won everything is about the defense. I think we really work well together and we really work hard in practice to get a good defense and some days your shots are not going in, but everyday is defense day."
Up Next
Fresno State will not be back on the court until Feb. 20 when the 'Dogs head to San Diego State. Tipoff for both contests are slated for 1 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 call 559-278-7160.
Follow us on:
Twitter: @FresnoStateWBB
Instagram: fresnostwbb
Facebook: FresnoStateAthletics
Team Stats
AF
FS
FG%
.396
.400
3FG%
.350
.286
FT%
.714
.500
RB
37
35
TO
23
10
STL
4
14
Game Leaders
Pts
22
FGM
9
3FGM
1
FTM
3
Pts
17
FGM
7
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Pts
8
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
5
FGM
2
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's Basketball
F
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