Fresno State Athletics
Photo by: Samuel Marshall
Bulldogs receive bid to WNIT, draw Missouri in opening round
3/15/2021 8:58:00 PM | Women's Basketball
FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno State women's basketball team will return to the postseason following Monday's announcement of the Women's National Invitation Tournament's field of 32. The Bulldogs will be making their ninth appearance in the tournament as they have been selected as one of eight teams in the Fort Worth Regional.
The 'Dogs (16-10) will open up with Missouri (9-11) on Friday at Noon PT, the second game of the regional's first round. It will be Fresno State's first-ever meeting with the Tigers.
Round 2 is March 20, and Round 3 is March 22. The four regional champions will advance to the Memphis site, with the semifinals tipping off March 26 and the championship game set for March 28. Every participant will have the opportunity to play in two games in this year's tournament, as there will be consolation games at each of the four regional sites.
Head coach Jaime White has now guided Fresno State to four WNIT appearances (2015, 2016, 2019, 2021). The Bulldogs were also an automatic qualifier for the 2020 tournament which was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
At 16-10, Fresno State is No. 81 in the NET rankings and has four wins against teams ranked in the top 100. The Bulldogs feature the nation's 16th ranked scoring offense (77.9 points per game) and posted a league-best seven 90-point games against Division I opponents. Sophomore point guard Haley Cavinder followed up a 2020 Freshman of the Year trophy with the conference's top honor in 2021, when she was selected Player of the Year on March 7. A two-time All-Mountain West selection, she was joined on the all-conference team for the second-straight season by her twin sister Hanna Cavinder.
Fort Worth Regional
All Times CT
(In bracket order; designated home team listed second)
Round 1 - Friday, March 19
Game 1: Arizona State (11-10) vs. Rice (18-4), 11 a.m.
Game 2: Fresno State (16-10) vs. Missouri (9-11), 2 p.m.
Game 3: San Francisco (15-10) vs. Houston (16-7), 5 p.m.
Game 4: California Baptist (24-0) vs. New Mexico (15-4), 8 p.m.
Round 2 - Saturday, March 20
Consolation: Losers Game 1 and 2: 11 a.m.
Consolation: Losers Game 3 and 4: 2 p.m.
Championship Semifinal: Winners Game 1 and 2: 5 p.m.
Championship Semifinal: Winners Game 3 and 4: 8 p.m.
Round 3 - Monday, March 22
Consolation Final: 4 p.m.
Championship Final: 7 p.m.
All games will be available via streaming from FloHoops.
"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
The 'Dogs (16-10) will open up with Missouri (9-11) on Friday at Noon PT, the second game of the regional's first round. It will be Fresno State's first-ever meeting with the Tigers.
Round 2 is March 20, and Round 3 is March 22. The four regional champions will advance to the Memphis site, with the semifinals tipping off March 26 and the championship game set for March 28. Every participant will have the opportunity to play in two games in this year's tournament, as there will be consolation games at each of the four regional sites.
Head coach Jaime White has now guided Fresno State to four WNIT appearances (2015, 2016, 2019, 2021). The Bulldogs were also an automatic qualifier for the 2020 tournament which was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
At 16-10, Fresno State is No. 81 in the NET rankings and has four wins against teams ranked in the top 100. The Bulldogs feature the nation's 16th ranked scoring offense (77.9 points per game) and posted a league-best seven 90-point games against Division I opponents. Sophomore point guard Haley Cavinder followed up a 2020 Freshman of the Year trophy with the conference's top honor in 2021, when she was selected Player of the Year on March 7. A two-time All-Mountain West selection, she was joined on the all-conference team for the second-straight season by her twin sister Hanna Cavinder.
Fort Worth Regional
All Times CT
(In bracket order; designated home team listed second)
Round 1 - Friday, March 19
Game 1: Arizona State (11-10) vs. Rice (18-4), 11 a.m.
Game 2: Fresno State (16-10) vs. Missouri (9-11), 2 p.m.
Game 3: San Francisco (15-10) vs. Houston (16-7), 5 p.m.
Game 4: California Baptist (24-0) vs. New Mexico (15-4), 8 p.m.
Round 2 - Saturday, March 20
Consolation: Losers Game 1 and 2: 11 a.m.
Consolation: Losers Game 3 and 4: 2 p.m.
Championship Semifinal: Winners Game 1 and 2: 5 p.m.
Championship Semifinal: Winners Game 3 and 4: 8 p.m.
Round 3 - Monday, March 22
Consolation Final: 4 p.m.
Championship Final: 7 p.m.
All games will be available via streaming from FloHoops.
"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
Players Mentioned
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