'Dogs return with 21-point road win

Thursday, January 13

San Jose, CA

5 P.M. PT

Fresno State

6-8,2-1Mountain West

San Jose State

3-11,0-3Mountain West

Fresno St.

San Jose St.

'Dogs return with 21-point road win

1/13/2022 11:19:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

By: Josh Mitchell / Assistant Director of Strategic Communications

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Coming off 12 days without a game, Fresno State was expectedly slow out of the gates but round into form midway through Thursday night's contest against San Jose State at Provident Union Credit Event Center. Leading by three at the half, the Bulldogs' defense put the clamps on the Spartans, outscoring the hosts by 18 in the second half to earn their second straight conference win, 78-57.

Wytalla Motta and Haley Cavinder led all scorers with 23 points apiece. Cavinder added nine rebounds and six assists while Motta added seven boards. The two combined to shoot 18-of-28 from the field.

Overall, Fresno State outshot the Spartans 52.6 percent to 29.0 percent.

How It Happened
With San Jose State holding its largest lead of the opening half at 23-18 following a layup from Cydni Lewis to open the second quarter, Haley Cavinder got the Bulldogs' offense clicking. Fresno State's next 10 points came through the hands of the point guard. Two assists and four points later, Fresno State led 28-25. A 3-pointer from Tamia Stricklin, her second of the quarter, then gave the 'Dogs their largest lead of the half at six, 31-25 with 5:13 on the clock.

Holding a three-point lead at the half, the momentum continued to swing in the Bulldogs' direction in the third. Fourteen unanswered points proved to be too much for the Spartans to overcome. With six points during the run coming from Wytalla Motta, and the 'Dogs forcing nine straight missed shot attempts, Fresno State took a 52-35 lead with 3:34 remaining in the period.

The Bulldogs held SJSU to 1-of-15 shooting in the final quarter as they extended their advantage to 20-plus.

Team Notes

Fresno State held San Jose State to 15 percent shooting in second half, 0-of-14 from 3.
The 'Dogs kept San Jose State to 29 percent shooting for the game, the second-lowest for an opponent this year.
The Bulldogs shot at least 50 percent for the second time this season, first since CSU Bakersfield.
The 'Dogs shot a season-high 52.6 percent from the field.
Fresno State shot 47.6 percent from 3, its second-highest percentage since the season opener at Utah Valley (50.0%).
The Bulldogs made at least 10 3-pointers in a game for the fourth time this year and are 3-1 in those contests.

Players Notes

Wytalla Motta scored a career-high 23 points on 9-of-13 from the field and 5-of-5 from the free throw line.
It was the first 20-point game of Motta's career. Her pervious high was 17 which occurred in her last game against San Diego State (Dec. 31, 2021).
Haley Cavinder recorded her eighth 20-point game of the year, scoring 23 points on 9-of-15 shooting from the field.
Haley led the Bulldogs on the glass for the 11^th game this season, collecting nine boards.
Hanna Cavinder reached double figures for the 12^th game, scoring 13 points.
Aunjona James scored six points on 2-of-2 from 3. She is 4-of-7 from 3 in three games.

Up Next
The Bulldogs face San Jose State on Saturday at the Save Mart Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 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 visit bulldogfoundation.org.

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