Heading to Viejas

Game 24: Fresno State (9-15, 5-8 MW) at San Diego State (12-13, 6-8 MW)
Feb. 19, 2022 • 1 p.m. PT • San Diego, Calif. (Viejas Arena)
TV/WEB: Mountain West Network
RADIO: Bulldog Sports Network/KRDU 1130AM (Matt Norville)
LIVE STATS: BullodgsLive.com
SERIES HISTORY: San Diego State leads 29-26
LAST MEETING: Fresno State 73, San Diego State 67 [12/31/21 – Fresno, Calif.]

THE BREAKDOWN

Fresno State is set to face San Diego State at Viejas Arena on Saturday afternoon, looking to snap a current four-game losing streak. All four defeats came to teams which currently sit in the top four in the Mountain West standings.
The Bulldogs sit a half game behind the Aztecs in the MW standings with each team having four games remaining.
The 'Dogs have won five of their last six at Viejas Arena, winning their last game their 82-61 on Feb. 21, 2021 following a two-point defeat two days earlier at the buzzer.
Ten of Fresno State's 13 conference games have been decided by 10 points or less. The 'Dogs are 3-0 in games decided by more than 10 points.
The Bulldogs have held lead at some point during the fourth quarter of 10 of 13 conference games.
Fresno State ranks No. 5 nationally in turnovers per game, committing just 11.4 per game.
Haley Cavinder is the only player in the only player in the country to rank in the Top 45 in points (18.7), rebounds (9.8) and assists (5.7) per game.
Cavinder has recorded a double-double in eight of 13 conference games, the most in the league. Her 12 double-doubles rank 20th nationally.

TOUGH STRETCH BUT AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN
Fresno State is currently on a four-game losing streak, its longest streak since nonconference play. While difficult, positives have come, bright spots have been there against three of the league's top four teams.

In three of the four games, the Bulldogs have held a lead in the fourth quarter. In the other, the 'Dogs pulled within two with less than two minutes to play on at road at UNLV which had won 10 straight going into the contest.
In all four games, Fresno State outshot its opponent. The 'Dogs have not outshot their opponents in four consecutive games.

DEFENSE BEGINNING TO TAKE SHAPE
While Fresno State has struggled to find its continuity on the defensive end with what has seemed to be an ever-changing roster due to player availability, the Bulldogs looked to have found the right mix in recent weeks. Following their game against Colorado State in which the Rams shot 50.8 percent, the highest the 'Dogs have allowed this season, Fresno State has held five of its last six opponents below 41 percent from the field (Wyoming - 42.9).

During the first 17 games of the season, 11 opponents shot north of 41 percent. The Bulldogs had a 3-8 record in those games.

LAC-ING IT UP
Battling injuries throughout the season, and not playing for a stretch of nine straight games in conference play, Imani Lacy returned to action on Feb. 12 against Wyoming. Looking more like her old self in limited minutes in her first two games back, the senior transfer put on a show in Las Vegas on Wednesday night scoring 19 points.

Lacy put her entire repertoire on display as she shot 9-of-12, knocking down shots from all three levels.
The 19 points was the fourth-most in a game in Lacy's career, and most since the 2020 Mountain West tournament when she had 20 points against New Mexico as a member of the Nevada Wolf Pack
The senior also added a season-high six rebounds while playing a season-high 22 minutes.

SCOUTING SAN DIEGO STATE

San Diego State sits a a half game ahead of Fresno State in the in the Mountain West standings at 6-8, 12-13 overall.
SDSU is holding opponents to 39.1 percent shooting on the year, third-best in the conference. In league play, the Aztecs are sit fifth allowing 40.3 percent.
The foul game hasn't been a strength for the Aztecs this season. On the offensive side, they rank 10th in the MW, shooting 66.5 percent. On the defensive end, they're committing the 10th-most fouls with 17.0 per game.
Sophia Ramos is SDSU's top offensive threat averaging 15.2 points per game which sits sixth in the MW. The senior ranks third in the conference in made 3-pointers with 52, shooting at 37.7 percent clip.
Freshman Asia Avinger sits fourth in the MW in assists with 3.9 per outing.
In conference play, Ramos (15.6) Avinger (13.6) and Mallory Adams (13.7) are all averaging over 13 points per game.
Adams has knocked down 33 3-pointers in the last 12 games while shooting 39.3 percent.

"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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