Fresno State falls in final seconds at San Diego State, 79-77

Saturday, February 20

San Diego, CA

1 P.M. PT

Fresno State

13-7,11-4Mountain West

San Diego State

6-14,4-10Mountain West

Fresno St.

San Diego St.

Fresno State falls in final seconds at San Diego State, 79-77

2/20/2021 6:21:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

By: Josh Mitchell / Assistant Director of Strategic Communications

SAN DIEGO – Following Haley Cavinder sinking her fifth 3-pointer of the fourth quarter to knot up Saturday's game at 77-all, San Diego State's Tea Adams scored on a layup with 5.3 seconds remaining to give the Aztecs the 79-77 victory at Viejas Arena. It was the Bulldogs third conference road loss of the season with all three being decided within the final six seconds.

Cavinder did everything she could for the Bulldogs late, scoring 18 of her game-high 27 points during the final 10 minutes. The sophomore caught fire from deep in the period going 5-of-6 from outside while her other three points came on an and-one as she scored all but two of Fresno State's points in the quarter.

San Diego State got 22 points from Sophia Ramos and 20 from Mercedes Staples.

Key Stat
While Fresno State tends to outscore its opponents in the paint when it wins (9 of 13 wins), SDSU outscored the 'Dogs 36-18, more than double their previous worst margin of the season (-6). The Aztecs outscored the Bulldogs 16-2 alone during the final 10 minutes of the game.

How It Happened
Both teams shot well early making for a fast-paced start. The Bulldogs, though, committed seven turnovers during the opening 10 minutes that aided in San Diego State holding a 22-18 lead after one. After shooting 3-of-6 from deep during the opening quarter, Fresno State began the second period sinking three in a row, two from Brooke Walling and one from Haley Cavinder. The lead was extended to 12 after Maddi Utti got a three the hard way to give Fresno State a 30-22 advantage with 7:28 on the clock.

The Aztecs kept the game close throughout the period by getting 10 points from Ramos who was scoreless during the opening 10 minutes. The Bulldogs led 43-38 after one following Hanna Cavinder converting a pair at the line during the final seconds.

A three-minute Bulldog drought early in the third allowed the Aztecs to regain the lead at 49-45 with 5:57 on the clock. Fresno State fought back and ended the third by leveling at 57-all following a late 3-pointer on the right wing from Kendyll Kinzer.

Then it was Haley Cavinder's time to take over, seemingly answering one Aztec shot after another with a 3-pointer as she made five of her season-high six in the quarter. With five minutes to play, Staples gave SDSU a two-point advantage with a triple but Haley answered with an and-one and followed with a 3-ball to put the 'Dogs up four with 2:34 to go. Fresno State's offense came up empty though during the next two minutes, allowing the Aztecs to score seven unanswered. After a pair of missed 3-point attempts, Haley equalized the game at 77-77 from the top of the key with 12.5 ticks left. That set up a go-ahead layup from Tea Adams. Walling's game-tying attempt at the buzzer caromed off the front of the iron.

Team Notes

Since 2000, Fresno State had previously not lost to the Aztecs in San Diego when scoring at least 70 points.
Fresno State has lost three conference road games this season. All three have seen the Bulldogs allow go-ahead baskets within the final six seconds.
The Bulldogs have lost four conference games by a combined 12 points.
Fresno State made a season-high 13 3-pointers.
The 'Dogs allowed 10 3-pointers, the ninth time this season they have allowed at least 10 in a game. It was the first time they have allowed double-digit made 3-pointers since Jan. 10.
Fresno State shot 41.9 percent from the field. The 'Dogs have won just one game this season when shooting below 44 percent.

Player Notes
Haley Cavinder – 27 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists

Scored a career high for a quarter with 18 in the fourth.
Recorded a season-high six made 3's, one shy of her career high.
Posted league-leading ninth 20-point game of the year.
Third game this season scoring above 25 points.

Brooke Walling – 11 points, 4 rebounds

Recorded two made 3-pointers in the same game for the first time in her career.
Posted third double-digit scoring game of the season.

Up Next
The Bulldogs and Aztecs will square off in Viejas Arena tomorrow at 1 p.m. PT in the series finale. The game 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