Fresno State falls at UNLV

Wednesday, February 16

Las Vegas, NV

6:30 P.M. PT

Fresno State

9-15,5-8Mountain West

UNLV

21-4,13-1Mountain West

Fresno St.

UNLV

Fresno State falls at UNLV

2/16/2022 11:43:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

By: Josh Mitchell / Assistant Director of Strategic Communications

LAS VEGAS – Trailing by two with less than two minutes to play, Fresno State came up short in its bid to knock off conference leader UNLV on Wednesday night at Cox Pavilion, falling 69-59. The Bulldogs were outscored 22-2 at the free throw line.

Imani Lacy dropped a season-high 19 points, shooting 9-of-12 from the field. Hanna Cavinder joined her double figures with 10. Led by Lacy, Fresno State's bench provided 27 of the team's 59 points. UNLV had five players reach double figures.

How It Happened
Following a slow start that saw the 'Dogs trail by as much as 12 midway through the opening quarter, Fresno State kicked up its defense in the second, holding UNLV to 14 points. The work on the defensive end translated to the offensive side as the Bulldogs shot 57.1 percent in the second and cut its deficit down to 31-28 at the half.

UNLV's lead remained at three through the third at 43-40. Imani Lacy made it a one-point game nine seconds into the final period. Justice Ethridge answered with her third 3-pointer of the game. The Bulldogs managed to stay close before the Lady Rebels increased their lead to seven with just over five minutes to play.

Following the final media timeout, Hanna Cavinder dropped in a fadeaway, and then after forcing a UNLV turnover, Lacy got the 'Dogs back within three. UNLV then extended its lead back to five with a pair at the line. A 3-pointer from Lacy brought the 'Dogs back within two at 57-55. But with under two minutes to play, Alyssa Durazo-Frescas hit a 3 from the wing to put UNLV back up five.

The Lady Rebels closed out the game going 9-of-10 from the foul line. UNLV scored 16 of its 26 fourth-quarter points at the stripe, shooting 16-of-18.

Team Notes

Against the league's top rebounding team who came into the game with a +9.4 advantage in conference play, Fresno State was -1 in the game (36-35).
Fresno State held a 32-20 advantage in points in the paint.
Fresno State was outscored by a season-high 20 points at the free three throw line (22-2). The 'Dogs took 23 less attempts on the night (27-4).
The Bulldogs' bench accounted for 27 points, its most this season against a D-I opponent.

Player Notes

Imani Lacy's 19 points came in a season-high 22 minutes. It was her second double-digit performance of the year.
The 19 points matches her combined total from her last eight appearances.
Haley Cavinder moved within one point of tying for sixth on Fresno State's all-time scoring list. She is currently sitting on 1,514 points, one point back of Shannon McGee.
Haley matched her season high on the glass, collecting 14 rebounds.
Hanna Cavinder reached double figures in scoring for the 74^th time in her career (84 games).

Up Next
Fresno State remains on the road this weekend, traveling to San Diego State on Saturday. Tipoff from Viejas Arena is scheduled for 1 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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