'Dogs open 2022-23 with crosstown matchup

Game 1: Fresno State vs. Fresno Pacific
Nov. 7, 2022 • 4:30 p.m. PT • Fresno, Calif. • Save Mart Center
TV/ONLINE: CW59 / Mountain West Network (PBP: Ralph Wood/Analyst: Jack Fertig & Amy Parrish-Finch/Sideline: Drey Avalos)
RADIO: Bulldog Sports Network/1130 AM KRDU (PBP: Matt Norville/Analyst: Taylor Martinez)
LIVE: BulldogsLive.com
LAST MEETING: Fresno State 90, Fresno Pacific 51 (Dec. 29, 2018 • Fresno, Calif. • Save Mart Center )
SERIES HISTORY: Fresno State leads 3-0 (regular season games for Fresno State)
TICKETS: Bulldog Ticket Office / GoBulldogs.com

THE BREAKDOWN

Fresno State enters the 2022-23 season with a revamped roster that includes six newcomers who will join nine returners which includes starters Amiee Book and Tamia Stricklin. Additionally, back are Sydney Dethman, Daylee Dunn, Maria Guimaraes, Imani Lacy, Yanina Todorova and Angela Whitfield. Keely Brown rounds out the returners after missing last season due to injury.
The Bulldogs' six newcomers include Nevada transfer Amaya West and five international players in transfer Thea Mikkelsen, and freshmen Elif Dila Bayrak, Alannah Chatfield, Maria Doreste and Franka Wittenberg.
Fresno State is led by Head Coach Jaime White who is entering her ninth season at the helm.
Fresno State has played three regular season games all-time against Fresno State. The Bulldogs have hosted each contest winning by an average of 36 points.

PRODUCTION GONE

With the departure of six players from last year's squad, including three players who started all or most of Fresno State's games (Haley Cavinder, Hanna Cavinder, Wytalla Motta), the Bulldogs will need to replace a bulk of their production this year.

The 'Dogs return 32.2 percent of scoring (648 points), 38.7 percent of its rebounding (403) and 22.3 percent of its assists (84) from the 2021-22 season.

INFLUX OF NEW FACES

With six players out, Fresno State brought in six new players to fill the void, two via the transfer portal and four freshmen from outside of the U.S. With just Franka Wittenberg on her signed during the fall, Bulldog coaches went to work during the spring adding five more.

A recent recruit, Thea Mikkelsen joined the 'Dogs after a year at Long Beach State. Following four years at Nevada, two alongside Imani Lacy, Amaya West made the move to join her former teammate in Fresno.
Freshmen coming from overseas to join Wittenberg were Elif Dila Bayrak (Turkey), Alannah Chatfield (Australia) and Maria Doreste (Spain).

TAKING THE FIFTH

Of the 15 players on Fresno State's roster, five have opted to take their "Covid Year" and will be entering Year No. 5 of their careers. All five began their careers outside of Fresno.

Maria Guimarares and Yanina Todorova will be in their their third year with the 'Dogs following two years at Odessa College.
Amiee Book came to Fresno last year after three season at Fullerton. She was joined by Imani Lacy who spent two years at Nevada followed by a year at Long Beach State.
Amaya West is the newest addition who will spend her final year of eligibility with the Bulldogs after spending the last four years in Reno.

YOUTH IN BUNCHES

While the Bulldogs have veteran experience with their five fifth-year seniors, nine of their other 10 players are underclassmen. Four of those underclassmen are true freshmen, one is a redshirt freshmen, three are true sophomores. Redshirt sophomore Keely Brown will be entering her third season in the program after sitting out last year due to injury.

The nine underclassmen will be the most for Jaime White since the 2017-18 season which also included four true freshmen.
The four true freshmen is the second-most White has had on a team at Fresno State behind the five the 'Dogs had during 2016-17. That team also had 10 underclassmen.

HISTORY OF INTERNATIONALS

During Fresno State's 50-plus years of its program, 28 internationals have lettered for the 'Dogs, with three those players returning after last season, the Bulldogs added five more to the fold to join that list.

Alannah Chatfield is the 14th player from Australia. All 14 have come through the program since 2003.
Thea Mikkelsen is the second player from Denmark, first since Natascha Hartvich in 2015.
Elif Dila Bayrak (Turkey), Maria Doreste (Spain) and Franka Wittenberg (Germany) will each be the first players from their countries to play at Fresno State.

WORLDWIDE REPRESENTATION
With a history of internationals, this year's squad will have the most on a single roster in program history with eight. While the eight internationals is tied for the seventh-most on a Division I women's basketball roster this season, the 'Dogs are about as diverse as it gets. All eight internationals are from a different country. Only one D-I women's team (San Francisco - 10) has more countries represented on its roster than Fresno State's nine.

The Bulldogs have players from four different continents (Australia/Oceania, Europe, North America, South America).

SINGLE-GAME AND SEASON TICKETS AVAILABLE

New this season, fans can purchase single-game tickets directly through the Bulldog Ticket Office and GoBulldogs.com.
Single-game tickets for regular season games start at $8 for adults and $6 for youth/senior in general admission sections. Tickets in reserved sections are $11.
Season tickets range from $50 for general admission for youth and $70 for adults up to $150 for courtside seats. Reserved sections are $85 per seat.

THE NUTRL ZONE IS COMING TO BULLDOG BASKETBALL!

The NUTRL Zone is making its Bulldog Basketball debut on Nov. 7 for Fresno State's doubleheader against Fresno Pacific at the Save Mart Center.
The NUTRL Zone is a new lounge, floor level club area behind the west baseline open to all fans attending Bulldog Basketball games this season.
The area will feature televisions, food and beverages available for purchase, including NUTRL product.
The new gameday experience will also have bar tables and couches, along with a view of the court and game from the baseline on the floor level.
There are also new baseline seating locations between the baseline and NUTRL Zone available for purchase.

Fresno State Athletics - For The V: The Central Valley" - Bulldog student-athletes, coaches, and staff proudly wear the "Green V" to show their pride in representing the Central Valley. Stories of why the Bulldogs play for the "Green V" will be shared throughout the next year with #ForTheV. To become a Bulldog Foundation member or join "The Green V Society," please call 559-278-7160 or visit bulldogfoundation.org.

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Fresno State Athletics

'Dogs open 2022-23 with crosstown matchup

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