Stout defense halts Highlanders

Tuesday, November 15

Fresno, CA

6 P.M. PT

Fresno State

2-1,0-0Mountain West

UC Riverside

0-3,0-0Big West

UC Riverside

Fresno St.

Stout defense halts Highlanders

11/15/2022 11:44:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

By: Josh Mitchell / Assistant Director of Strategic Communications

FRESNO, Calif. – Not allowing more than 12 points in a quarter, Fresno State's defense was disruptive on Tuesday night, holding UC Riverside to a season-low 40 points in a 14-point win at the Save Mart Center. The Bulldogs held the Highlanders to just 34.1 percent shooting and forced 23 turnovers.

Balanced in the scoring column, Fresno State saw seven players score between 4-10 points. Maria Guimaraes led the team with her first career double-double with game highs of 10 points and 12 rebounds.

How It happened
Starting 1-of-8 and trailing by seven midway through the opening quarter, Fresno State battled back with 11 unanswered and held UCR scoreless through the 5:43 of the period. The run was keyed by forcing Riverside into seven straight missed shots following making four of its first five.

Back-to-back baskets to start the second from the Highlanders pulled the game level in the first minute but Yanina Todorova answered from behind the arc. That started a 17-3 run during the final minutes. Like the first quarter, defense was the difference, holding UC Riverside scoreless for the final 7:39. The stretch was jump-started by forcing three turnovers in 90 seconds, two of which were clock violations. The Bulldogs forced UCR into nine miscues during the quarter as they took a 31-16 lead into the half.

Fresno State's lead grew to as much as 23 with less than two minutes to play in the third.

Team Notes

For just the second time in the last decade, Fresno State held a Division I opponent to 40 points or less. The last time was on Jan. 11, 2017 against Air Force. (40 points).
Nine Bulldogs were in the scoring column, with just one in double figures.
Fresno State forced 23 turnovers.
The 'Dogs outrebounded UC Riverside by 14 (42-28).
Twenty of those 42 rebounds came on the offensive end leading to an 18-3 advantage in second-chance points.

Player Notes

Maria Guimaraes recorded her first career double-double with 10 points and a career-high 12 rebounds.
It was the second time Guimaraes has scored in double figures in her career.
Franka Wittenberg grabbed a season-high 11 rebounds.
Amiee Book had a team-high four assists, her most as a Bulldog.
Maria Doreste swiped a season-high three steals.

Up Next
Fresno State hosts Cal Poly on Friday, its fourth straight home game to start the season. Tipoff at the Save Mart Center is scheduled for 6 p.m. PT.

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