Bulldogs drop UNLV series after 75-74 defeat on Senior Day

Saturday, February 27

Fresno, CA

1 P.M. PT

Fresno State

14-9 (12-6MW)

UNLV

15-8 (13-5MW)

UNLV

Fresno State

Photo by: Samuel Marshall

Bulldogs drop UNLV series after 75-74 defeat on Senior Day

2/27/2021 6:37:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Photo Gallery Photo Gallery 2

By: Josh Mitchell / Assistant Director of Strategic Communications

FRESNO, Calif. – Fresno State nearly overcame a 21-point halftime deficit on Saturday afternoon but with 5.1 seconds left on the clock, the Bulldogs were unable to get a shot attempt off before the buzzer, falling 75-74 to UNLV at the Save Mart Center.

Hanna Cavinder finished with a game-high 32 points on 13-of-20 shooting. The sophomore shot a career-best 4-of-5 from deep. Haley Cavinder added 20 points on 9-of-18 from the field. UNLV was led by Desi-Rae Young's 18 points and 10 rebounds.

How It Happened
In a reverse of the defensive game on Thursday, both teams came out shooting high percentages early but six turnovers in the opening quarter put Fresno State into a 10-point whole after the opening quarter. The Lady Rebels' 28-18 lead was aided by 12 points off turnovers. UNLV continued its hot shooting in the second period, going 5-of-6 from deep and scoring nine points off offensive rebounds. Fresno State trailed 55-44 at the half.

The Bulldogs got running in the second half, forcing turnovers and missed shots. The result was the Bulldogs going on a 19-4 run in seven minutes to pull within six at the end of three, 62-57. Fresno State's momentum continued into the fourth period, outscoring UNLV 8-0 as the 'Dogs took their first lead since the opening minutes of the game. The Lady Rebels quickly pulled their deficit back to one, but a 9-2 stretch from the Cavinders gave the Bulldogs their largest lead of the game with at 74-66 with 2:45. From that point, UNLV outscored Fresno State 9-0 to end the game.

Team Notes

With today's loss, Fresno State drops into fourth in the Mountain West standings at 12-6, 14-9 overall.
Fresno State dropped its fifth one-possession game of the season, and third in the last four games.
For the second straight game, the 'Dogs only attempted six free throws. Fresno State came into the series averaging 5.7 more attempts per game than its opponents.
Shooting 47.6 percent from the field, the Bulldogs lost just their second game of the season when shooting north 44 percent.
The 47.1 percent shooting from 3 (10-of-24) was the fourth-highest of the year for the 'Dogs.

Player Notes
Hanna Cavinder – 32 points, 4 steals, 3 assists, 2 rebounds

Set a new career high in scoring, surpassing her previous high of 26.
Shot 13-of-20 overall.
Scored 20 points on 8-of-10 shooting during the opening half.

Haley Cavinder – 20 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists

Sixth 20-point game in the last seven outings.
Scored 14 of 20 points in the second half.

Up Next
Fresno State will now await its seeding for the Mountain West tournament which begins on Sunday, March 6. The Bulldogs will finish now lower than fourth and thus not play its first game until March 7.

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